U.S. patent application number 16/611737 was filed with the patent office on 2020-12-31 for bag body, film body, and method for manufacturing bag body.
This patent application is currently assigned to IDEMITSU UNITECH CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is IDEMITSU UNITECH CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Ryo KATADA, Yoshinori NAMBA, Akira OTOBUCHI.
Application Number | 20200407122 16/611737 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005108114 |
Filed Date | 2020-12-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200407122 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NAMBA; Yoshinori ; et
al. |
December 31, 2020 |
BAG BODY, FILM BODY, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING BAG BODY
Abstract
A bag includes a bag body defining a housing space, an elongated
member provided on a first face portion of two face portions
forming the bag body, and a tab. The elongated member includes an
elongated tearing guide piece, a belt-shaped base provided between
a second face portion and the tearing guide piece along a
longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece. The tab has an
outer edge defined in the first face portion by a cutting line
penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the first face
portion. A protector covering the tab is provided on a side of the
first face portion provided with the belt-shaped base.
Inventors: |
NAMBA; Yoshinori; (Tokyo,
JP) ; KATADA; Ryo; (Tokyo, JP) ; OTOBUCHI;
Akira; (Chonburi, TH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
IDEMITSU UNITECH CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
IDEMITSU UNITECH CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
1000005108114 |
Appl. No.: |
16/611737 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
April 26, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2018/016921 |
371 Date: |
November 7, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 33/2533 20130101;
B65D 31/10 20130101; B31B 70/14 20170801; B65D 75/66 20130101; B31B
2160/10 20170801; B31B 70/8133 20170801 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/25 20060101
B65D033/25; B65D 75/66 20060101 B65D075/66 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 8, 2017 |
JP |
2017-092532 |
Claims
1. A bag comprising: a bag body made of at least one folded or
overlapped film, the bag body comprising a plurality of face
portions at least comprising mutually facing first face portion and
second face portion, the face portions defining a housing space; an
elongated member provided on the first face portion, the elongated
member comprising an elongated tearing guide piece, and a
belt-shaped base interposed between the second face portion and the
tearing guide piece along a longitudinal direction of the tearing
guide piece; and a tab comprising an outer edge defined by a
cutting line penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the first
face portion, the tab allowing the tearing guide piece to be
pinched, wherein a protector covering the tab is provided on a
surface of the first face portion provided with the belt-shaped
base.
2. A bag comprising: a bag body made of at least one folded or
overlapped film, the bag body comprising a plurality of face
portions at least comprising mutually facing first face portion and
second face portion, the face portions defining a housing space; an
elongated member provided on the first face portion, the elongated
member comprising an elongated tearing guide piece and a zipper
tape, the zipper tape comprising a first member comprising a
belt-shaped base and a first engagement portion continuous with the
belt-shaped base and a second member comprising a belt-shaped body
and a second engagement portion continuous with the belt-shaped
body and engageable with the first engagement portion; and a tab
comprising an outer edge defined by a cutting line penetrating
through the belt-shaped base and the first face portion, the tab
allowing the tearing guide piece to be pinched, wherein the
belt-shaped base is extended in a width direction to protrude
beyond a first end of the belt-shaped body in the width direction
when the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion
are engaged, an extended part of the belt-shaped base and the
belt-shaped body are bonded to the first face portion with a
surface provided with the first engagement portion and a surface
not provided with the second engagement portion, respectively, the
belt-shaped base is interposed between the second face portion and
the tearing guide piece, a protector covering the tab is provided
on a surface of the first face portion provided with the
belt-shaped base.
3. The bag according to claim 1, wherein the belt-shaped base and
the tearing guide piece are integrated.
4. The bag according to claim 1, further comprising: a cut portion
formed at a position different from the tab in the tearing guide
piece and the first face portion, the cut portion being configured
to cut the first face portion and the tearing guide piece in a
manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide
piece.
5. The bag according to claim 1, wherein the bag body is made of a
single film, the bag body being provided with a bonding portion
formed by overlapping edges of the film located opposite with each
other.
6. The bag according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of face
portions further comprise a bottom face portion bonded with the
first and the second face portions at peripheral ends thereof.
7. The bag according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of face
portions comprise a pair of lateral face portions provided at side
edges of the first and second face portions and facing each other
through the first and second face portions, and the bottom face
portion, and the lateral face portions are each interfolded along a
bend line.
8. The bag according to claim 1, wherein a grip is provided in the
bag body.
9. A film assembly comprising: a film; a plurality of elongated
members provided on one surface of the film and mutually spaced
apart in a longitudinal direction of the film; and a tab, wherein
the elongated members each comprises: an elongated tearing guide
piece; and a belt-shaped base provided on a surface of the tearing
guide piece opposite a surface of the tearing guide piece facing
the film, the belt-shaped base extending along a longitudinal
direction of the tearing guide piece, the tab comprises an outer
edge defined by a cutting line penetrating through the belt-shaped
base and the film, the tab allowing the tearing guide piece to be
pinched, a protector covering the tab is provided on a surface of
the film provided with the belt-shaped base, and a length of the
film in a width direction is more than twice as large as a length
of each of the elongated members in a longitudinal direction.
10. A film assembly comprising: a film; a plurality of elongated
members provided on one surface of the film in a manner mutually
spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the film; and a tab,
wherein the elongated members each comprise: an elongated tearing
guide piece; and a zipper tape, the zipper tape comprises: a first
member comprising a belt-shaped base and a first engagement portion
continuous with the belt-shaped base; and a second member
comprising a belt-shaped body and a second engagement portion
continuous with the belt-shaped body and engageable with the first
engagement portion, the belt-shaped base is extended in a width
direction to protrude beyond a first end of the belt-shaped body in
the width direction when the first engagement portion and the
second engagement portion are engaged, the extended part of the
belt-shaped base and the belt-shaped body are bonded to the film
with a surface provided with the first engagement portion and a
surface not provided with the second engagement portion,
respectively, the belt-shaped base is provided on a surface of the
tearing guide piece opposite a surface of the tearing guide piece
facing the film, the tab comprises an outer edge defined by a
cutting line penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the film,
the tab allowing the tearing guide piece to be pinched, a protector
covering the tab is provided on a side of the film provided with
the belt-shaped base, and a length of the film in a width direction
is more than twice as large as a length of each of the elongated
members in a longitudinal direction.
11. The film assembly according to claim 9, further comprising: a
cut portion formed at a position different from the tab in the
tearing guide piece and the film, the cut portion being configured
to cut the film and the tearing guide piece in a manner
intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide piece.
12. The film assembly according to claim 9, further comprising: a
plurality of additional films, one of peripheral ends of each of
the additional films being bonded with the film in parallel to the
elongated members.
13. A manufacturing method of a bag, the method comprising: feeding
the film assembly according to claim 9; folding peripheral ends of
the film along a feeding direction of the film toward an inner side
provided with the elongated members and bonding an overlapped
portion to form a linear bonding portion, thereby turning the film
into a tube; bonding a folded part and an unfolded part of the film
along a transverse direction intersecting the bonding portion to
form a bottom portion of the bag; and cutting the film in parallel
to the bottom portion at a position opposite the part bonded along
the transverse direction of the film across the elongated
member.
14. A manufacturing method of a bag, the method comprising: feeding
the film assembly according to claim 12; folding peripheral ends of
the film along a feeding direction of the film toward an inner side
provided with the elongated members and bonding an overlapped
portion to form a linear bonding portion, thereby turning the film
into a tube; bonding the film and the other of the peripheral ends
of the plurality of additional films along a transverse direction
intersecting the bonding portion to form a bottom portion of the
bag; and cutting the film in parallel to the bottom portion at a
position opposite the part bonded along the transverse direction of
the film across the elongated member.
15. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 13,
further comprising: after forming the bottom portion, packing
contents in an inside of the film, which has been turned into the
tubular film; and after the contents are packed in the inside of
the film, bonding a folded part and an unfolded part of the film at
a position remote from the bottom portion along the bonding portion
to form a top portion of the bag, wherein in cutting the film,
after forming the top portion, the film is cut at the top portion
of the bag or a part of the top portion located opposite a side
packed with the contents.
16. A manufacturing method of a bag, the method comprising: feeding
an elongated member onto a film along a longitudinal direction of
the elongated member to provide the elongated member on a surface
of the film, the elongated member comprising an elongated tearing
guide piece and a belt-shaped base provided along the longitudinal
direction of the tearing guide piece, the film having a length in
the width direction more than twice as large as a length of the
elongated member in the longitudinal direction, the elongated
member being fed so that the tearing guide piece faces the film and
the belt-shaped base faces opposite the film; providing a cutting
line penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the film to form
an outer edge of a tab that allows the tearing guide piece to be
pinched; bonding a protector covering the tab on the surface of the
film; folding peripheral ends of the film toward an inner side
provided with the elongated member and bonding an overlapped
portion to form a linear bonding portion, thereby turning the film
into a tubular film; bonding a folded part and an unfolded part of
the film along a transverse direction intersecting the bonding
portion to form a bottom portion of the bag; packing contents in an
inside of the tubular film; after the contents are packed in the
inside of the film, bonding a folded part and an unfolded part of
the film at a position remote from the bottom portion along the
bonding portion to form a top portion of the bag; and cutting the
film at the top portion of the bag or a part of the top portion
located opposite a side packed with the contents.
17. A manufacturing method of a bag, the method comprising: feeding
an elongated member on a film, the elongated member comprising an
elongated zipper tape and an elongated tearing guide piece, the
zipper comprising a first member comprising a belt-shaped base and
a first engagement portion continuous with the belt-shaped base and
a second member comprising a belt-shaped body and a second
engagement portion continuous with the belt-shaped body and
engageable with the first engagement portion, the belt-shaped base
being extended in a width direction beyond a first end of the
belt-shaped body in the width direction when the first engagement
portion and the second engagement portion are engaged, the tearing
guide piece being provided on a surface of the belt-shaped base
provided with the first engagement portion along a longitudinal
direction of the belt-shaped base, the film having a length in a
width direction that is more than twice as large as a length of the
elongated member in the longitudinal direction, the elongated
member being fed in the longitudinal direction so that the tearing
guide piece faces the film and the belt-shaped base faces opposite
the film; providing a cutting line penetrating through the
belt-shaped base and the film to form an outer edge of a tab that
allows the tearing guide piece to be pinched; bonding a protector
covering the tab on the surface of the film; folding peripheral
ends of the film toward an inner side provided with the elongated
member and bonding an overlapped portion to form a linear bonding
portion, thereby turning the film into a tubular film; bonding a
folded part and an unfolded part of the film along a transverse
direction intersecting the bonding portion to form a bottom portion
of the bag; packing contents in an inside of the tubular film;
after the contents are packed in the inside of the film, bonding a
folded part and an unfolded part of the film at a position remote
from the bottom portion along the bonding portion to form a top
portion of the bag; and cutting the film at the top portion of the
bag or a part of the top portion located opposite a side of the top
portion packed with the contents.
18. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 13,
further comprising: cutting the film and the tearing guide piece in
a manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide
piece to form a cut portion in the tearing guide piece and the film
each at a position different from the tab.
19. The bag according to claim 2, wherein the belt-shaped base and
the tearing guide piece are integrated.
20. The bag according to claim 2, further comprising: a cut portion
formed at a position different from the tab in the tearing guide
piece and the first face portion, the cut portion being configured
to cut the first face portion and the tearing guide piece in a
manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide
piece.
21. The bag according to claim 2, wherein the bag body is made of a
single film, the bag body being provided with a bonding portion
formed by overlapping edges of the film located opposite with each
other.
22. The bag according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of face
portions further comprise a bottom face portion bonded with the
first and the second face portions at peripheral ends thereof.
23. The bag according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of face
portions comprise a pair of lateral face portions provided at side
edges of the first and second face portions and facing each other
through the first and second face portions, and the bottom face
portion, and the lateral face portions are each interfolded along a
bend line.
24. The bag according to claim 2, wherein a grip is provided in the
bag body.
25. The film assembly according to claim 10, further comprising: a
cut portion formed at a position different from the tab in the
tearing guide piece and the film, the cut portion being configured
to cut the film and the tearing guide piece in a manner
intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide piece.
26. The film assembly according to claim 10, further comprising: a
plurality of additional films, one of peripheral ends of each of
the additional films being bonded with the film in parallel to the
elongated members.
27. A manufacturing method of a bag, the method comprising: feeding
the film assembly according to claim 10; folding peripheral ends of
the film along a feeding direction of the film toward an inner side
provided with the elongated members and bonding an overlapped
portion to form a linear bonding portion, thereby turning the film
into a tube; bonding a folded part and an unfolded part of the film
along a transverse direction intersecting the bonding portion to
form a bottom portion of the bag; and cutting the film in parallel
to the bottom portion at a position opposite the part bonded along
the transverse direction of the film across the elongated
member.
28. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 14,
further comprising: after forming the bottom portion, packing
contents in an inside of the film, which has been turned into the
tubular film; and after the contents are packed in the inside of
the film, bonding a folded part and an unfolded part of the film at
a position remote from the bottom portion along the bonding portion
to form a top portion of the bag, wherein in cutting the film,
after forming the top portion, the film is cut at the top portion
of the bag or a part of the top portion located opposite a side
packed with the contents. located opposite a side of the top
portion packed with the contents.
29. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 14,
further comprising: cutting the film and the tearing guide piece in
a manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide
piece to form a cut portion in the tearing guide piece and the film
each at a position different from the tab.
30. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 15,
further comprising: cutting the film and the tearing guide piece in
a manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide
piece to form a cut portion in the tearing guide piece and the film
each at a position different from the tab.
31. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 16,
further comprising: cutting the film and the tearing guide piece in
a manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide
piece to form a cut portion in the tearing guide piece and the film
each at a position different from the tab.
32. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 17,
further comprising: cutting the film and the tearing guide piece in
a manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing guide
piece to form a cut portion in the tearing guide piece and the film
each at a position different from the tab.
33. The bag according to claim 1, wherein a cutting area configured
to cut the belt-shaped base in a manner intersecting a width
direction of the tearing guide piece is provided adjacent to both
ends of the cutting line.
34. The bag according to claim 2, wherein a cutting area configured
to cut the belt-shaped base in a manner intersecting a width
direction of the tearing guide piece is provided adjacent to both
ends of the cutting line.
35. The film assembly according to claim 9, wherein a cutting area
configured to cut the belt-shaped base in a manner intersecting a
width direction of the tearing guide piece is provided adjacent to
both ends of the cutting line.
36. The film assembly according to claim 10, wherein a cutting area
configured to cut the belt-shaped base in a manner intersecting a
width direction of the tearing guide piece is provided adjacent to
both ends of the cutting line,
37. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 16,
further comprising: providing a cutting area configured to cut the
belt-shaped base in a manner intersecting a width direction of the
tearing guide piece at a position adjacent to both ends of the
cutting line.
38. The manufacturing method of a bag according to claim 17,
further comprising: providing a cutting area configured to cut the
belt-shaped base in a manner intersecting a width direction of the
tearing guide piece at a position adjacent to both ends of the
cutting line.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a bag, a film assembly, and
a manufacturing method of the bag.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Various bags for packaging medicine and food, which include
a zipper tape bonded to a bag body made of a film, have been known.
Some of these bags are provided by: back-bonding (i.e. bonding at
the back) peripheries of a single film at a back side and bonding
the peripheries of the film in a direction orthogonal to the
back-bonding direction to form a bag body; bonding a reclosable
fastener to a front wall (i.e. one of facing walls (front and back
walls)) of the bag body; and attaching a pull-out plug or a thread
for opening the bag at a part close to the fastener (Patent
Literature 1).
[0003] In order to produce the bag according to the related art
disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a film, on which the fastener is
bonded in advance, is wound into a roll. While the
fastener-attached film unwound from the roll is delivered to a
winder, a plurality of holes for forming a pull-out plug are
provided in the film using a punching mechanism and the fastener is
bonded to the film. Then, both sides of the film are folded to be
overlapped and the overlapped portion is back-bonded. After a lower
end of the film is bonded and the contents are packed, upper end of
the film is bonded.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature(S)
[0004] Patent Literature 1: JP 11-510461 A
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] In the typical arrangement according to Patent Literature 1,
a plurality of holes are provided to a front wall using a punching
mechanism to form a pull-out plug. These holes bring an inside of
the bag body into communication with an outside of the bag body, so
that sealability of the bag may become insufficient.
[0006] It is also disclosed in the typical arrangement according to
Patent Literature 1 that a thread for unsealing the bag is provided
on an inner side of the front wall. However, no specific process
for exposing an end of the thread to an outside to form a tab is
disclosed. In order for an end of the thread to serve as a tab, a
hole that allows the thread to penetrate through the film of the
bag may be formed in the front wall. However, such a hole brings an
inside of the bag in communication with an outside of the bag,
possibly failing to provide sufficient sealability.
[0007] An object of the invention is to provide a bag and a film
assembly capable of providing high sealability, and a manufacturing
method of the bag.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0008] A bag according to an aspect of the invention includes: a
bag body made of at least one film, the bag body including a
plurality of face portions provided by folding or overlapping the
film and including mutually facing first face portion and second
face portion, the face portions defining a housing space; an
elongated member provided on the first face portion; and a tab, the
elongated member including an elongated tearing guide piece, and a
belt-shaped base interposed between the second face portion facing
the first face portion and the tearing guide piece along a
longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece, the tab being
provided on the first face portion to allow the tearing guide piece
to be pinched, the tab including an outer edge defined by a cutting
line penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the first face
portion, where a cutting area configured to cut the belt-shaped
base in a manner intersecting a width direction of the tearing
guide piece is provided adjacent to both ends of the cutting line,
and a protector covering the tab is provided on a surface of the
first face portion provided with the belt-shaped base.
[0009] In the bag according to the above aspect of the invention
with contents being housed in its housing space and its periphery
being sealed, when the tab is pulled in a direction away from the
second face portion in order to unseal the bag, the tearing guide
piece rips the first face portion to form an opening along a
longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece. The contents
housed in the housing space can be taken out of the opening.
[0010] The bag according to the above aspect of the invention has
the protector for covering the tab, whose outer edge is defined by
the cutting line, on the surface of the first face portion provided
with the belt-shaped base. Accordingly, after the contents are
packed in the housing space and before the bag is unsealed, the
housing space is kept from being in communication with an exterior
space of the bag through the cutting line, providing excellent
sealability.
[0011] The tearing guide piece herein refers to a member bonded to
the first face portion of the film of the bag body to assist
unsealing of the bag body by guiding the ripping of the first face
portion of the film along the bonding position of the tearing guide
piece on the first face portion of the film.
[0012] The tearing guide piece may be directly bonded to the first
face portion or may be indirectly provided to the first face
portion through a member (e.g. the belt-shaped sheet).
[0013] The belt-shaped base may be made of a single member or may
be made of a plurality of members arranged along the longitudinal
direction of the tearing guide piece.
[0014] The shape of the cutting line is not particularly limited as
long as the cutting line is capable of defining the outer edge of
the tab sufficient to hold the tearing guide piece in order to
guide the ripping of the film of the bag body. For instance, the
cutting line may have a C-shaped profile, a semicircular profile, a
polygonal profile or the like so that the tearing guide piece is
sandwiched by the ends of the cutting line at a point in the
longitudinal direction.
[0015] The shape of the cutting area is not particularly limited as
long as the cutting area is capable of cutting the belt-shaped base
and exposing the tearing guide piece through the cutting area. For
instance, the cutting area may be linear or curved.
[0016] The cutting area configured to cut the belt-shaped base in a
manner intersecting a width direction of the tearing guide piece,
which is provided adjacent to both ends of the cutting line of the
tab, reduces resistance applied to the tab when the bag is
unsealed. Specifically, when the cutting line defining the outer
edge of the tab is located away from the cutting area in the
belt-shaped base, in pulling the tab away from the second face
portion, the belt-shaped base is ripped along the longitudinal
direction of the tearing guide piece from the peripheral end of the
cutting line, causing resistance. However, when the cutting area is
provided adjacent to both ends of the cutting line of the
belt-shaped base, the belt-shaped base is no more ripped after the
belt-shaped base is cut at the cutting area, thereby reducing the
resistance.
[0017] In order to form the cutting area and the tab, for instance,
an elongated member including the belt-shaped base and the tearing
guide piece may be bonded to the first face portion of the film in
advance. Then, a cutting unit including a penetration blade
configured to penetrate through the elongated member and the film
and a cutting blade whose cutting depth is adjusted so that only
the belt-shaped base is cut at the bonded part of the tearing guide
piece and the belt-shaped base without penetrating through the
tearing guide piece may be used to push the blades into the
elongated member and the film from the belt-shaped base, thereby
simultaneously forming the cutting line and the cutting area. In
this case, the cutting line and the cutting area are preferably
adjacent to each other. The term "adjacent to" herein means that
the cutting line and the cutting area are directly connected or are
provided with a small gap therebetween. Even when a gap is present
between the cutting line and the cutting area, the cutting line and
the cutting area are substantively adjacent to each other if the
bag formed with the gap can be easily torn in holding the tab to
unseal the bag.
[0018] The belt-shaped base and the tearing guide piece may be
integrated or may be independent components.
[0019] When the belt-shaped base and the tearing guide piece are
integrated, for instance, a resin for the belt-shaped base and a
resin for the tearing guide piece are preferably co-extruded to
form the integrated belt-shaped base and the tearing guide
piece.
[0020] The material and shape of the protector are not particularly
limited as long as the protector is capable of covering the tab to
keep the housing space of the bag from being in communication with
an exterior space of the bag through the cutting line defining the
outer edge of the tab. For instance, the protector may be made of
the same material as the belt-shaped base or made of different
materials. The shape of the protector may be rectangular, circular,
or triangular.
[0021] The protector is configured to cover the tab and is bonded
to the first face portion so that the housing space of the bag is
kept from being in communication with the exterior space of the bag
through the cutting line defining the outer edge of the tab. The
surface of the protector facing the first face portion is not
entirely bonded to the first face portion. The protector is bonded
to the first face portion in any manner as long as the protector
can cover the tab so that the housing space of the bag is kept from
being in communication with the exterior space of the bag through
the cutting line defining the outer edge of the tab. For instance,
the protector may be bonded to the first face portion at an outer
periphery of the part covering the tab. Further, the protector,
which may be provided only at a part covering the tab, may run the
entire length of the belt-shaped base along the longitudinal
direction of the belt-shaped base.
[0022] The specific structure for bonding the protector to the film
and the like is not particularly limited as long as the protector
is capable of covering the tab to keep the housing space of the bag
from being in communication with the exterior space of the bag
through the cutting line. For instance, the periphery of the
protector may be bonded to the film and the belt-shaped base to
cover the tab. The protector is suitably bonded to the film and the
like through a known process using heat-sealing, ultrasonic
sealing, adhesive, or the like.
[0023] After the cutting area is provided, since the protector is
configured to cover the tab and the cutting area provided at a
position adjacent to both ends of the cutting line of the tab, when
the tab is pinched to start ripping the first face portion of the
film with the tearing guide piece, the protector covering the
belt-shaped base and the tab is not torn, due to the presence of
the cutting area. Accordingly, the protector is kept from being
pulled in unsealing the bag to disturb the ripping of the first
face portion of the film. Thus, the protector is kept from being
pulled in unsealing the bag to disturb the ripping of the first
face portion of the film.
[0024] The bag body, which has only mutually facing two face
portions, may alternatively have two or more face portions such as
a gusset bag including a facing pair of face portions, a pair of
lateral face portions interposed between the face portions at
peripheral edges of the pair of face portions, and a bottom face
portion, the lateral face portions and the bottom face portion
being interfolded inward along a bend line.
[0025] In the gusset bag, the tearing guide piece and the
belt-shaped base are provided on the first face portion of the pair
of face portions. Both ends of the tearing guide piece and the
belt-shaped base may reach or may not reach the interfolded part of
the lateral face portions.
[0026] In the above aspect of the invention, the bag body is made
of at least one film. For instance, mutually opposite edges of a
single film are folded at a position remote from the edges, and the
overlapped portions of the folded edges may be bonded through
back-bonding, butt-seaming or the like. Alternatively, mutually
opposite edges of a single film may be two-folded at a position
remote from the edges by the same distance, and the overlapped
peripheries of the two-folded edges may be bonded. Further, two
films may be mutually overlapped and mutually opposite edges o the
two films may be each bonded. Alternatively, the pair of face
portions and the pair of lateral face portions may be provided
using four films, and another film may be used to form the bottom
face portion to make a gusset bag.
[0027] The tearing guide piece and the belt-shaped base are
provided on the first face portion of the pair of face portions and
not on the second face portion of the pair of face portions. Thus,
a gap for packing the contents in the housing space can be formed
between the tearing guide piece/the belt-shaped base and the second
face portion. The bag housing the contents can be thus produced by
packing the contents in the housing space through the gap and
subsequently bonding the bag body to close the gap.
[0028] In order to manufacture the bag, the tearing guide piece and
the belt-shaped base are fed to a surface of the film along the
longitudinal direction thereof to provide the tearing guide piece
and the belt-shaped base on the film. Further, the outer edge of
the tab is defined by the cutting line penetrating through the film
and the belt-shaped base. In addition, the cutting area is provided
at a position adjacent to the both ends of the cutting line of the
tab and the protector covering the tab is provided on the surface
of the film provided with the belt-shaped base.
[0029] A cut portion for cutting the tearing guide piece and the
first face portion may be provided in the tearing guide piece and
the first face portion at a position different from the tab. When
the lateral sides or the like of the bag are sealed, the cut
portion may be provided in the sealed portion.
[0030] The cut portion for cutting the tearing guide piece and the
first face portion may be provided in the tearing guide piece and
the first face portion at a position different from the tab.
Further, the cut portion may be sealed. The cut portion may be
provided at a portion independent of the sealed portion. Since the
cut portion provides a terminal for the part to be ripped by the
tearing guide piece, the first face portion is kept from being torn
by the tearing guide piece more than necessary, thereby controlling
the location of the opening of the bag.
[0031] A bag according to another aspect of the invention includes:
a bag body made of at least one folded or overlapped film, the bag
body including a plurality of face portions including mutually
facing first face portion and second face portion, the face
portions defining a housing space; an elongated member provided on
the first face portion; and a tab, the elongated member including
an elongated tearing guide piece and a zipper tape, the zipper tape
including a first member including a belt-shaped base and a first
engagement portion continuous with the belt-shaped base and a
second member including a belt-shaped body and a second engagement
portion continuous with the belt-shaped body and engageable with
the first engagement portion, where: the belt-shaped base is
extended in a width direction to protrude beyond a first end of the
belt-shaped body in the width direction when the first engagement
portion and the second engagement portion are engaged; an extended
part of the belt-shaped base and the belt-shaped body are bonded to
the first face portion with a surface provided with the first
engagement portion and a surface not provided with the second
engagement portion, respectively; the belt-shaped base is
interposed between the second face portion facing the first face
portion and tearing guide piece along the longitudinal direction of
the tearing guide piece; the tab allows the tearing guide piece to
be pinched and includes an outer edge defined by a cutting line
penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the first face
portion; a cutting area configured to cut the belt-shaped base in a
manner intersecting a width direction of the tearing guide piece is
provided adjacent to both ends of the cutting line; and a protector
covering the tab is provided on a surface of the first face portion
provided with the belt-shaped base.
[0032] According to the above aspect of the invention, when the tab
is pulled in a direction away from the second face portion in order
to unseal the bag, the tearing guide piece rips the first face
portion to form an opening along a longitudinal direction of the
tearing guide piece. The first engagement portion and the second
engagement portion of the zipper tape are exposed through the
opening. After the first engagement and second engagement portions
of the zipper tape are disengaged, the contents housed in the
housing space can be taken out. After the contents are taken out,
the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are
engaged to close the bag.
[0033] According to the above aspect of the invention, the first
engagement portion and the second engagement portion are bonded to
the bag body while being engaged. Further, the protector for
covering the tab, whose outer edge is defined by the cutting line,
is provided on a surface of the first face portion provided with
the belt-shaped base. Accordingly, before the bag is unsealed, the
housing space is kept from being in communication with the exterior
space through the cutting line, maintaining excellent
sealability.
[0034] Since the belt-shaped base and the belt-shaped body of the
zipper tape are bonded to the first face portion, the contents can
be packed in the bag without releasing the engagement between the
first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.
Accordingly, the contents can be easily packed in the bag.
[0035] Herein, the first engagement portion and the second
engagement portion may be mutually engaging male and female
portions, or may be a mutually engaging pair of hook-shaped
portions. Further, a plurality of pairs of the first engagement
portion and the second engagement portion may be provided. In this
case, all of the plurality of pairs of the first engagement portion
and the second engagement portion may consist of pairs of the male
and female portions or pairs of two hook-shaped portions, or may
include pair(s) of the male and female portions and pair(s) of
mutually engaging two hook-shaped portions in combination.
[0036] When the first engagement portion and the second engagement
portion are provided by a combination of the pair(s) of the male
and female portions and pair(s) of the two hook-shaped portions,
one of the two hook-shaped portions may be continuous with the
belt-shaped base and face an extended part of the belt-shaped base
and the other of the hook-shaped portions may face opposite the one
of the two hook-shaped portions. When the extended part of the
belt-shaped base and the belt-shaped body are pulled in opposite
directions while the male and female portions are engaged, a force
(shear force) acts in a direction for separating the belt-shaped
base and the belt-shaped body within a plane. Thus, the one and the
other of the hook-shaped portions are mutually strongly engaged in
proportion to a pulling force, providing strong engagement in
addition to the engagement between the male and female portions. In
contrast, when the extended part of the belt-shaped base and the
part of the belt-shaped body facing the extended part are pulled in
a direction mutually away from each other, the male and female
portions and the hook-shaped portions are disengaged.
[0037] The tearing guide piece may be directly bonded to the first
face portion or may be indirectly provided to the first face
portion through the belt-shaped body.
[0038] In the bag according to the above aspects of the invention,
the belt-shaped base and the tearing guide piece may be
integrated.
[0039] The phrase "the belt-shaped base and the tearing guide piece
are integrated" herein refers to an arrangement in which the
belt-shaped base and the tearing guide piece are integrated through
extrusion molding, an arrangement in which the belt-shaped base and
the tearing guide piece are separately produced and are later
bonded to be integrated, and the like.
[0040] The bag according to the above aspect of the invention may
include a cut portion formed at a position different from the tab
in the tearing guide piece and the first face portion, the cut
portion being configured to cut the first face portion and the
tearing guide piece in a manner intersecting the width direction of
the tearing guide piece.
[0041] According to the above arrangement, upon pinching the tab
and pulling the tearing guide piece to open the bag, when an
unsealed part of the bag reaches the cut portion, at which the
first face portion and the tearing guide piece are cut, the first
face portion is not ripped beyond the cut portion. In other words,
since the cut portion provides a terminal for the part to be ripped
by the tearing guide piece, the first face portion is kept from
being torn by the tearing guide piece more than necessary, thereby
controlling the location of the opening of the bag. Further, the
cut portion only cuts the first face portion and the tearing guide
piece and does not cut the belt-shaped base provided along the
longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece. Accordingly, the
housing space of the bag body is kept from being in communication
with the exterior space through the cut portion before the bag body
is unsealed.
[0042] The cut portion may be sealed. In order to seal the cut
portion, pressure may be applied to the belt-shaped base from an
inside and outside of the first face portion.
[0043] In the bag according to the above aspect of the invention,
the bag body may be made of a single film, the bag body being
provided with a bonding portion formed by overlapping edges of the
film located opposite with each other.
[0044] According to the above arrangement, the edges of the film
are back-bonded to form the bonding portion.
[0045] The bonding portion for the back-bonding may be provided
through butt-seaming (bonding the same face of the film) or may be
provided through "envelope-seaming" (i.e. bonding different faces
of the film).
[0046] In the bag according to the above aspect of the invention,
the plurality of face portions may include a pair of face portions
facing each other and a bottom face portion bonded with the pair of
face portions at peripheral ends thereof.
[0047] According to the above arrangement, the presence of the
bottom face portion allows the bag to stand upright with the
contents being housed in the housing space. Thus, the bag can be
displayed upright on a store shelf in retail shops and the like.
Further, when the bag is provided with the zipper tape, with the
first and second engagement portions being released to open the
bag, the bag is not likely to tumble over, so that the contents do
not leak out from the bag.
[0048] In the bag according to the above aspect of the invention,
the plurality of face portions may include a pair of face portions
facing each other, a pair of lateral face portions provided at side
edges of the pair of face portions and facing each other through
the pair of face portions, and the bottom face portion, and the
lateral face portions may be each interfolded along a bend
line.
[0049] According to the above arrangement, the bag body in a form
of a gusset bag allows the bag to stand upright with the contents
being housed in the housing space, so that the bag can be displayed
upright on a store shelf in retail shops and the like.
[0050] In the bag according to the above aspects of the invention,
a grip may be provided in the bag body.
[0051] According to the above arrangement, the grip allows the bag
to be easily held.
[0052] The configuration of the grip is not particularly limited as
long as the grip can be held by hand. For instance, the grip may be
suitably provided by: one or more hole-shaped grip provided to an
upper end; a string inserted through the upper end of the bag body;
a grip member made of resin, metal or the like bonded to the upper
end of the bag; or the like.
[0053] A film assembly according to still another aspect of the
invention includes: a film; a plurality of elongated members
provided on one surface of the film and mutually spaced apart in a
direction of the film; and a tab, where the elongated members each
includes: an elongated tearing guide piece; and a belt-shaped base
provided on a surface of the tearing guide piece opposite a surface
of the tearing guide piece facing the film, the belt-shaped base
extending along a longitudinal direction of the tearing guide
piece, the tab includes an outer edge defined by a cutting line
penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the film, the tab
allowing the tearing guide piece to be pinched, a cutting area
configured to cut the belt-shaped base in a manner intersecting a
width direction of the tearing guide piece is provided adjacent to
both ends of the cutting line, a protector covering the tab is
provided on a surface of the film provided with the belt-shaped
base, and a length of the film in a width direction is more than
twice as large as a length of each of the elongated members in a
longitudinal direction.
[0054] According to the above aspect of the invention, the bag is
producible by bonding the peripheral ends of the film of the film
assembly to turn the film into a tube, and bonding a part of the
film corresponding to the bottom portion of the bag. In
manufacturing the bag, an existing machine for bonding the part
corresponding to the bottom portion can be used, so that the bag
can be easily manufactured.
[0055] Since the width of the film along the first direction of the
film is more than twice as large as the length of the elongated
member in the longitudinal direction, the film can be reliably
overlapped when the peripheral ends of the film are folded inward
from both ends of the elongated member. Accordingly, the film can
be turned into a tube by bonding the overlapped portion and
linearly forming the bonding portion.
[0056] Further, after folding the film of the film assembly along a
circumference of a cylindrical member to turn the film into a tube
and bonding the portion corresponding to the bottom portion of the
bag, the contents are packed in the bag through the cylindrical
member and a portion corresponding to the top portion of the bag is
bonded, thereby easily manufacturing the bag housing the
contents.
[0057] Further, since a plurality of elongated members are provided
on the film, the film assembly can be easily transferred by winding
the film into a roll or folding the film.
[0058] The bottom portion, which herein refers to a portion of the
manufactured bag provided opposite the top portion and bonded to
keep the contents from being leaked, is linearly formed by bonding
a mutually facing pair of face portions of the film. A bottom face
portion is sometimes provided to the bottom portion in order to
allow the bag to stand upright. The bottom face portion may be
formed using a second film independent of the film turned into a
tube. In this case, the bottom face portion is bonded to the pair
of face portions at peripheral ends thereof.
[0059] A film assembly according to a further aspect of the
invention includes: a film; a plurality of elongated members
provided on one surface of the film in a manner mutually spaced
apart in a direction of the film; and a tab, where the elongated
members each include: an elongated tearing guide piece; and a
zipper tape, the zipper tape includes: a first member including a
belt-shaped base and a first engagement portion continuous with the
belt-shaped base; and a second member including a belt-shaped body
and a second engagement portion continuous with the belt-shaped
body and engageable with the first engagement portion, the
belt-shaped base is extended in a width direction to protrude
beyond a first end of the belt-shaped body in the width direction
when the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion
are engaged, the extended part of the belt-shaped base and the
belt-shaped body are bonded to the film with a surface provided
with the first engagement portion and a surface not provided with
the second engagement portion, respectively, the belt-shaped base
is provided on a surface of the tearing guide piece opposite a
surface of the tearing guide piece facing the film, the tab
includes an outer edge defined by a cutting line penetrating
through the belt-shaped base and the film, the tab allowing the
tearing guide piece to be pinched, a cutting area configured to cut
the belt-shaped base in a manner intersecting a width direction of
the tearing guide piece is provided adjacent to both ends of the
cutting line, a protector covering the tab is provided on a side of
the film provided with the belt-shaped base, and a length of the
film in a width direction is more than twice as large as a length
of each of the elongated members in a longitudinal direction.
[0060] According to the above aspect of the invention, peripheral
ends of the film are folded toward the inner side of the film
provided with the elongated member and the overlapped portion is
bonded to form the linear bonding portion, thereby turning the film
into a tube. The folded part and the unfolded part of the film are
bonded along the transverse direction intersecting the bonding
portion to form the bottom portion of the bag. Then, the film is
cut at the position opposite the part bonded along the transverse
direction of the film across the elongated member.
[0061] Accordingly, the bag provided with the zipper tape can be
manufactured through the above series of steps in the above aspect
of the invention.
[0062] The film assembly according to the above aspect of the
invention may include a cut portion formed at a position different
from the tab in the tearing guide piece and the film, the cut
portion being configured to cut the film and the tearing guide
piece in a manner intersecting the width direction of the tearing
guide piece.
[0063] According to the above arrangement, when the tab is pulled,
the tearing guide piece rips the film to form an opening along a
longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece. When the pulled
tearing guide piece reaches the cut portion, since the film and the
tearing guide piece are cut at the cut portion, the film is not
ripped beyond the cut portion.
[0064] Accordingly, the film assembly can be used in manufacturing
the bag having the cut portion as a terminal for the portion to be
ripped by the tearing guide piece.
[0065] The film assembly according to the above aspect of the
invention may include at least two second films, one of peripheral
ends of each of the second films being bonded with the film in
parallel to the elongated members to form the bottom face
portion.
[0066] According to the above arrangement, the elongated member is
provided on a surface of the film, and the cutting line penetrating
through the belt-shaped base and the film is provided to form the
outer edge of the cutting area for cutting the belt-shaped base.
Then, the tab is covered with the protector. Further, a peripheral
end of the second film is bonded to the film in parallel to the
elongated member to produce the film assembly. A plurality of the
elongated members and corresponding number of plurality of the
second film are provided on a single film.
[0067] With the thus produced film assembly, the bag having the
bottom face portion can be manufactured by bonding the other
peripheral end of the second film to the folded part of the film
when a part of the film intersecting the overlapped portion
provided by inwardly folding the peripheral ends of the film is
bonded.
[0068] The film forms the pair of face portions of the bag body.
The second film forms the bottom face portion with mutually
opposite peripheral ends being located on the pair of face portions
of the bag body. Though the shape of the second film is not
particularly limited, the second film is, for instance,
rectangular. In order to bond the film with the other peripheral
end of the second film, the second film may be folded in
advance.
[0069] A manufacturing method of a bag according to still further
aspect of the invention includes: feeding the film assembly
according to the above aspect of the invention; folding peripheral
ends of the film along a feeding direction of the film toward an
inner side provided with the elongated members and bonding an
overlapped portion to form a linear bonding portion, thereby
turning the film into a tube; bonding a folded part and an unfolded
part of the film along a transverse direction intersecting the
bonding portion to form a bottom portion of the bag; and cutting
the film in parallel to the bottom portion at a position opposite
the part bonded along the transverse direction of the film across
the elongated member.
[0070] According to the above aspect of the invention, in feeding
the film assembly, the film assembly is delivered in a direction
along which the elongated members are arranged. In turning the film
into a tube, the side edges of the film of the film assembly are
folded inward and overlapped portions are bonded to form a linear
bonding portion. In forming the bottom portion of the bag, the
folded part and the unfolded part of the film are bonded along the
transverse direction intersecting the bonding portion to form the
bottom portion of the bag. Then, the film is cut at the bonded
portion at an opposite position across the elongated member.
[0071] Thus, the bag before the contents are packed can be
manufactured. The contents are then put into the housing space of
the bag body through a cut opening formed in the process of cutting
the film. Subsequently, the films are bonded along the cut opening
at a part near the cut opening.
[0072] According to the above aspect of the invention, the above
steps are performed while feeding the film assembly, so that a
plurality of bags can be continuously manufactured.
[0073] A known process using heat-sealing, ultrasonic sealing,
adhesive, or the like is suitably used in bonding the film. In
applying the heat-sealing or ultrasonic sealing, a sealer such as a
seal bar is used.
[0074] In cutting the film, a cutter or the like is used.
[0075] A manufacturing method of a bag according to still further
aspect of the invention includes: feeding the film assembly
according to the above aspect of the invention; folding peripheral
ends of the film along a feeding direction of the film toward an
inner side provided with the elongated members and bonding an
overlapped portion to form a linear bonding portion, thereby
turning the film into a tube; bonding the film and the other of the
peripheral ends of the plurality of additional films along a
transverse direction intersecting the bonding portion to form a
bottom portion of the bag; and cutting the film in parallel to the
bottom portion at a position opposite the part bonded along the
transverse direction of the film across the elongated member.
[0076] According to the above aspect of the invention, the bag
having the bottom face portion can be easily manufactured by
bonding a part of the film intersecting the overlapped portion
provided by inwardly folding the peripheral ends of the film and
bonding the peripheral end of the second film to the folded part of
the film.
[0077] In order to provide a self-standing bag, it is preferable
that a part of the second film that is bonded to the film in
advance and a part opposite the bonded part are orthogonal to the
film-overlapped portion.
[0078] The step for turning the film into a tube and the step for
bonding the second film to the folded part of the film may be
simultaneously conducted or may be conducted with a time lag.
[0079] The manufacturing method of a bag according to the above
aspect of the invention may further includes: after forming the
bottom portion, packing contents in an inside of the film, which
has been turned into the tubular film; and after the contents are
packed in the inside of the film, bonding a folded part and an
unfolded part of the film at a position remote from the bottom
portion along the bonding portion to form a top portion of the bag,
where, in cutting the film, after forming the top portion, the film
is cut at the top portion of the bag or a part of the top portion
located opposite a side packed with the contents.
[0080] According to the above arrangement, after forming the bottom
portion, the contents are packed in the film, which has been turned
into the tubular film. Since the elongated member, which is
provided on one surface of the film, is spaced by a gap from the
folded part, the contents can be put into the interior of the film
through the gap. The top portion of the bag is formed after the
contents are packed in the bag. Accordingly, the contents are kept
from being leaked out of the tubular film. After the top portion is
formed, a part of the bag corresponding to the top portion is cut,
thereby manufacturing the bag packed with the contents.
[0081] According to the above aspect of the invention, the above
steps are performed while the film assembly including a plurality
of elongated members provided on the film is fed in the direction
orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the elongated
member.
[0082] In order to manufacture the first bag including one of the
elongated members located at a leading edge in the feeding
direction of the film assembly, the folded and unfolded parts of
the film are bonded to form the bottom portion of the bag, and the
contents are packed in the tubular film provided with the bottom
portion. Subsequently, the folded and unfolded parts of the film
are bonded to form the top portion of the bag. Then, in order to
produce the second bag including the elongated member located next
to the elongated member at the leading edge, the bottom portion of
the bag is formed, the contents are packed in the tubular film, and
the top portion of the bag is formed, as in the first bag. It
should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" herein are used
for the convenience of description. When a certain bag is referred
to as the first bag, the bag produced next will be referred to as
the second bag. In other words, the elongated member at an end of
the film is not necessarily the "first."
[0083] It should be noted that the top portion of the first bag and
the bottom portion of the second bag may be simultaneously formed.
Alternatively, the top portion of the first bag may be formed after
the bottom portion of the second bag is formed.
[0084] When the bottom face portion for a self-standing bag is
provided to the bag, a thickness of a film-overlapped portion
corresponding to the bottom face portion is different from a
thickness of a film-overlapped portion corresponding to the top
portion. Specifically, in order to form the bottom face portion,
the second film independent of the tubular film is two-folded and
the folded and aligned peripheral ends are bonded to the inner
circumferential surface of the tubular film. In this case, total
four layers of the films are overlapped at the portion forming the
bottom face portion (i.e. two layers of the overlapped tubular film
plus two layers of the overlapped two-folded second film). In
contrast, when the bottom face portion for self-standing bag is not
provided to the bag and the bottom portion is formed from the
tubular film, the portion for forming the bottom portion, which is
provided by bonding mutually facing parts of the tubular film, has
a thickness corresponding to two layers of the film. Meanwhile, the
top portion, which is formed by bonding mutually facing parts of
the tubular film, has a thickness corresponding to two layers of
the film irrespective of the presence of the bottom face portion.
Accordingly, when the bottom face portion is provided to the bag,
the portion corresponding to the bottom face portion has thick
film-overlapped portion provided by the film and the second film,
while the portion corresponding to the top portion has thin
film-overlapped portion due to the absence of the second film. In
contrast, when the bottom portion is not provided to the bag, the
thickness of the film-overlapped portion is the same in both of the
portion corresponding to the bottom portion and the portion
corresponding to the top portion.
[0085] Accordingly, the structure for forming the bottom portion
and the top portion is changed depending on the thickness of the
film-overlapped portion.
[0086] When the bag without the bottom face portion is continuously
manufactured, since the thickness of the film-overlapped portion
corresponding to the top portion of the first bag is the same as
the thickness of the film-overlapped portion corresponding to the
bottom portion of the second bag, the film-overlapped portion is
bonded with a single seal bar, and the middle part of the bonded
region is cut to manufacture the bag.
[0087] When the bag having the bottom face portion is continuously
manufactured, since the thickness of the film-overlapped portion
corresponding to the top portion of the first bag is thicker than
the thickness of the film-overlapped portion corresponding to the
bottom portion of the second bag, a seal bar for forming the top
portion and a seal bar for forming the bottom portion are
separately prepared, and the middle part of the region bonded by
these seal bars is cut to manufacture the bag.
[0088] A manufacturing method of a bag according to still further
aspect of the invention includes: feeding an elongated member onto
a film along a longitudinal direction of the elongated member, the
elongated member including an elongated tearing guide piece and a
belt-shaped base provided along the longitudinal direction of the
tearing guide piece, the film having a length in the width
direction more than twice as large as a length of the elongated
member in the longitudinal direction, the elongated member being
fed so that the tearing guide piece faces the film and the
belt-shaped base faces opposite the film; providing the elongated
member on a surface of the film; forming on a surface of the film a
tab that allows the tearing guide piece to be pinched; covering the
tab on the surface of the film with a protector; folding peripheral
ends of the film toward an inner side provided with the elongated
member and bonding an overlapped portion to form a linear bonding
portion, thereby turning the film into a tubular film; bonding a
folded part and an unfolded part of the film along a transverse
direction intersecting the bonding portion to form a bottom portion
of the bag; packing contents in an inside of the tubular film;
after the contents are packed in the inside of the film, bonding a
folded part and an unfolded part of the film at a position remote
from the bottom portion along the bonding portion to form a top
portion of the bag; and cutting the film at the top portion of the
bag or a part of the top portion located opposite a side packed
with the contents, where, in providing the tab, a cutting line
penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the film is provided
to form an outer edge of the tab, a cutting area configured to cut
the belt-shaped base in a manner intersecting a width direction of
the tearing guide piece is provided at a position adjacent to both
ends of the cutting line, and, in covering the tab with the
protector, the protector is bonded to the surface of the film.
[0089] In the above aspect of the invention, the units for
performing the respective steps are installed in respective stages
at a predetermined distance, and the film is fed so that these
units are sequentially operable, thereby manufacturing the bag.
Initially, the step for providing the elongated member to the film
is performed.
[0090] Accordingly, the elongated member including the tearing
guide piece and the belt-shaped base is formed in advance and the
elongated member is fed onto a surface of the film so that the
tearing guide piece of the elongated member faces the film and the
belt-shaped base faces opposite the film, thereby providing the
elongated member on the film. In order to provide the elongated
member on the film, for instance, a seal bar may be used.
[0091] Then, a step for feeding the film and moving the elongated
member provided on the film to the next stage to provide the tab is
performed. Initially, the cutting line penetrating through the
belt-shaped base and the film is provided to form the outer edge of
the cutting area for cutting the belt-shaped base. In this step,
the cutting line may be provided using a penetration blade and the
cutting area may be provided using a cutting blade. The step for
forming the outer edge defined by the cutting line may be performed
before, after, or simultaneously with the step for forming the
cutting area.
[0092] Then, the film is fed and the elongated member provided with
the tab is moved to the next stage. Initially, the tab is covered
with the protector. Specifically, the protector is disposed on the
tab and, subsequently, the protector is bonded to the film and the
like.
[0093] Further, the film provided with the elongated member is
delivered, the bonding portion is formed, the bottom portion of the
bag is formed along the transverse direction intersecting the
bonding portion, the contents are packed in the bag, and then the
top portion of the bag is formed.
[0094] A manufacturing method of a bag according to still further
aspect of the invention includes: feeding an elongated member on a
film, the elongated member including an elongated zipper tape and
an elongated tearing guide piece, the zipper including a first
member including a belt-shaped base and a first engagement portion
continuous with the belt-shaped base and a second member including
a belt-shaped body and a second engagement portion continuous with
the belt-shaped body and engageable with the first engagement
portion, the belt-shaped base being extended in a width direction
beyond a first end of the belt-shaped body in the width direction
when the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion
are engaged, the tearing guide piece being provided on a surface of
the belt-shaped base provided with the first engagement portion
along a longitudinal direction of the belt-shaped base, the film
having a length in a width direction that is more than twice as
large as a length of the elongated member in the longitudinal
direction, the elongated member being fed in the longitudinal
direction so that the tearing guide piece faces the film and the
belt-shaped base faces opposite the film; providing on the film a
tab that allows the tearing guide piece to be pinched; covering the
tab on the surface of the film with a protector; folding peripheral
ends of the film toward an inner side provided with the elongated
member and bonding an overlapped portion to form a linear bonding
portion, thereby turning the film into a tubular film; bonding a
folded part and an unfolded part of the film along a transverse
direction intersecting the bonding portion to form a bottom portion
of the bag; packing contents in an inside of the tubular film;
after the contents are packed in the inside of the film, bonding a
folded part and an unfolded part of the film at a position remote
from the bottom portion along the bonding portion to form a top
portion of the bag; and cutting the film at the top portion of the
bag or a part of the top portion located opposite a side of the top
portion packed with the contents, where, in providing the tab, an
outer edge of the tab is formed by providing a cutting line
penetrating through the belt-shaped base and the film, and a
cutting area configured to cut the belt-shaped base in a manner
intersecting a width direction of the tearing guide piece is
provided at a position adjacent to both ends of the cutting line,
and, in covering the tab with the protector, the protector is
bonded on the surface of the film.
[0095] In the above aspect of the invention, the units for
performing the steps are installed in respective stages at a
predetermined distance, and the film is fed so that these units are
sequentially operable, thereby manufacturing the bag.
[0096] Initially, the step for providing the elongated member to
the film is performed. Accordingly, the elongated member including
the tearing guide piece and the zipper tape is formed in advance
and the elongated member is fed onto a surface of the film so that
the tearing guide piece of the elongated member faces the film and
the belt-shaped base faces opposite the film, thereby providing the
elongated member on the film. The steps for providing the elongated
member on the film and the subsequent steps are the same as the
steps in the above-described bag manufacturing method.
[0097] The manufacturing method of a bag according to the above
aspect of the invention may include: cutting the film and the
tearing guide piece in a manner intersecting the width direction of
the tearing guide piece to form a cut portion in the tearing guide
piece and the film each at a position different from the tab.
According to the above arrangement, the step for forming the cut
portion is added to the above-described steps, so that a bag
capable of controlling the location of the formed opening can be
manufactured.
[0098] When the tab of the thus manufactured bag is pulled, the
tearing guide piece rips the film to form an opening. When the
pulled tearing guide piece reaches the cut portion, since the film
and the tearing guide piece are cut at the cut portion, the film is
not ripped beyond the cut portion.
[0099] A part of the belt-shaped base covering the tearing guide
piece may be squashed to seal the cut portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0100] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view showing a bag according
to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0101] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along 2-2 line in
FIG. 1.
[0102] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along 3-3 line in
FIG. 1.
[0103] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a vicinity of
a tab of the bag.
[0104] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a vicinity of
a cut portion of the bag.
[0105] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a film assembly wound
into a roll.
[0106] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an overall arrangement
of a machine for producing the bag using the film assembly.
[0107] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a bonding unit and a
cutting unit.
[0108] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an overall arrangement
of a machine for producing the bag without using the film
assembly.
[0109] FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a
tab former.
[0110] FIG. 10B is a plan view schematically showing the tab
former.
[0111] FIG. 11 schematically shows a protector installation unit
and a cut-portion former.
[0112] FIG. 12 shows a device for producing the bag before being
packed with content, which corresponds to FIG. 8.
[0113] FIG. 13 is a front elevational view showing a bag according
to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0114] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a film assembly wound
into a roll.
[0115] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an overall arrangement
of a machine for producing the bag using the film assembly.
[0116] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a bonding unit and a
cutting unit.
[0117] FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing an overall arrangement
of a machine for producing the bag without using the film
assembly.
[0118] FIG. 18 shows a device for producing the bag before being
packed with content, which corresponds to FIG. 16.
[0119] FIG. 19, which corresponds to FIG. 3, is an illustration
showing a cross section of a relevant part of a bag according to a
third exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0120] FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view showing a vicinity
of a tab of the bag.
[0121] FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view showing a vicinity
of a cut portion of the bag.
[0122] FIG. 22 is a front elevational view showing a bag according
to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0123] FIG. 23 is a front elevational view showing a bag according
to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention.
[0124] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along 24-24 line in
FIG. 23.
[0125] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing a relevant part of an
elongated member.
[0126] FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view showing a vicinity
of a tab of the bag.
[0127] FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view showing a vicinity
of a cut portion of the bag.
[0128] FIG. 28, which corresponds to FIG. 24, is an illustration
showing a relevant part of a bag according to a modification of the
invention.
[0129] FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view showing a vicinity
of a tab of the bag.
[0130] FIG. 30, which corresponds to FIG. 6, is an illustration
showing a film assembly according to another modification of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)
[0131] Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described
with reference to attached drawings.
[0132] In the description of the exemplary embodiments, the same
components will be denoted by the same reference signs and the
explanation thereof will be omitted.
First Exemplary Embodiment
[0133] A first exemplary embodiment will be described below with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.
[0134] A bag 1A according to the first exemplary embodiment will be
described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.
[0135] FIG. 1 shows an overall arrangement of the bag 1A. FIG. 2
shows a cross section of the bag 1A.
[0136] Overall Arrangement of Bag 1A
[0137] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bag 1A includes a bag body
10A, an elongated member 2A provided on the bag body 10A, a tab 3,
and a protector 4.
[0138] Bag Body 10A
[0139] The bag body 10A includes a pair of mutually facing face
portions 11A, 11B (only the face portion 11A is shown in FIG. 1)
provided by inwardly folding peripheral ends of a single film 11C
at a part remote from the peripheral ends by a predetermined
dimension, a bonding portion 12 provided by linearly bonding the
folded and overlapped portion of the film 11C, and a top portion 13
and a bottom portion 14 orthogonal to the bonding portion 12.
[0140] The first face portion 11A is a surface on which the bonding
portion 12 is not formed. The second face portion 11B is a surface
on which the bonding portion 12 is formed.
[0141] The bonding portion 12 is a part at which the film 11C is
back-bonded. The bonding portion 12 may be provided through
butt-seaming (bonding the same face of the film 11C as shown in
FIG. 2) or may be provided through "envelope-seaming" (i.e. bonding
different faces of the film 11C).
[0142] An inner space of the bag body 10A is a housing space 10S
for housing contents O (see FIG. 8).
[0143] The film 11C may be a film made of a thermoplastic resin.
Examples of the usable thermoplastic resin include low-density
polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and
polypropylene (PP). PP may be any of homopolypropylene (HPP),
random polypropylene (RPP) and block polypropylene (BPP).
[0144] The top portion 13 and the bottom portion 14 are provided by
bonding inner faces of the pair of face portions 11A, 11B are
bonded.
[0145] Elongated Member 2A
[0146] Specific structures of the elongated member 2A are shown in
FIGS. 3 to 5. A part of the elongated member 2A in the vicinity of
the tab 3 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0147] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the elongated member 2A includes
a tearing guide piece 21 and a zipper tape 6 that are bonded to the
first face portion 11A.
[0148] The cross-sectional profile of the tearing guide piece 21 in
a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the tearing
guide piece 21 is rectangular in the illustrated example. However,
the cross-sectional profile of the tearing guide piece 21 in the
first exemplary embodiment is not necessarily rectangular but may
be triangular or semicircular. Alternatively, the tearing guide
piece 21 may be configured in a form of a cord.
[0149] The zipper tape 6 includes a first member 61 including a
belt-shaped base 601 and a first engagement portion 611 continuous
with the belt-shaped base 601, and a second member 62 including a
belt-shaped body 602 and a second engagement portion 612 continuous
with the belt-shaped body 602.
[0150] The first engagement portion 611 and the second engagement
portion 612 are mutually engageable. The width of the belt-shaped
base 601 is larger than that of the belt-shaped body 602, so that,
when the first engagement portion 611 and the second engagement
portion 612 are engaged, a first end in the width direction (i.e.
an end near the top portion) of the belt-shaped base 601 extends
beyond that of the belt-shaped body 602. The extended part of the
belt-shaped base 601 and the belt-shaped body 602 are bonded to the
first face portion 11A with a surface provided with the first
engagement portion 611 and a surface not provided with the second
engagement portion 612, respectively.
[0151] The first engagement portion 611 is a female portion and the
second engagement portion 612 is a male portion engageable with the
female portion in an example illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. However,
the first engagement portion 611 and the second engagement portion
612 may alternatively be a male portion and a female portion,
respectively.
Though only one pair of the first engagement portion 611 and the
second engagement portion 612 is illustrated, a plurality of pairs
of the first and second engagement portions may be provided.
[0152] Further, in addition to the first engagement portion 611 and
the second engagement portion 612 as a combination of the male and
female portions, a pair of mutually engaging hook-shaped portions
611B, 612B may be provided (see imaginary lines in FIG. 3). When
the first engagement portion 611 and the second engagement portion
612 are provided by a combination of the pair of male and female
portions and the two hook-shaped portions 611B, 612B, the
hook-shaped portions 611B, 612B are provided opposite the extended
part of the belt-shaped base 601 across the male and female
portions, the hook-shaped portion 611B facing the extended part of
the belt-shaped base 601 and the hook-shaped portion 612B facing
the bottom portion 14. When the extended part of the belt-shaped
base 601 is pulled upward in FIG. 3 and the belt-shaped body 602 is
pulled downward in FIG. 3 while the male and female portions are
engaged, a force (shear force) is applied on the belt-shaped base
601 and the belt-shaped body 602 in a direction away from each
other within a plane, thereby mutually strongly engaging the
hook-shaped portion 611B and the hook-shaped portion 612B in
proportion to a tensile force to provide strong engagement between
the male and female portions. In contrast, when the extended part
of the belt-shaped base 601 and a part of the belt-shaped body 602
facing the extended part are pulled in a direction mutually away
from each other, the male and female portions and the hook-shaped
portions 611B, 612B are disengaged.
[0153] The belt-shaped base 601 is disposed between the second face
portion 11B and the tearing guide piece 21 along the longitudinal
direction of the tearing guide piece 21.
[0154] The materials for forming the tearing guide piece 21 and the
zipper tape 6 are selected from among mutually incompatible resins.
The incompatible resins are preferably a combination of low-density
polyethylene resin and random polypropylene resin. Specifically,
examples of the combination of incompatible resins include
low-density polyethylene (LDPE)/random polypropylene (RPP), linear
low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)/RPP (partially including m-LL),
LDPE/homopolypropylene (HPP), LLDPE/HPP (partially including m-LL),
LDPE/polystyrene (PS), LLDPE/PS (partially including m-LL), RPP/PS,
HPP/PS, LDPE/polyethylene terephthalate (PET), LLDPE/PET, RPP/PET,
HPP/PET, PS/PET, LDPE/nylon (Ny), LLDPE/Ny, RPP/Ny, HPP/Ny, and
PS/Ny. Thus, interfacial delamination occurs at a bonding interface
between the belt-shaped base 601 of the zipper tape 6 and the
tearing guide piece 21.
[0155] Tab 3
[0156] The tab 3, which enables the tearing guide piece 21 to be
pinched, is provided to a first end of the elongated member 2A in
the longitudinal direction.
[0157] The tab 3 includes an outer edge 31 defined by a cutting
line 30 penetrating through the first end of each of the
belt-shaped base 601 and the tearing guide piece 21 in the
longitudinal direction and the first face portion 11A. In other
words, the tab 3 is defined by the belt-shaped base 601, the
tearing guide piece 21 and the first face portion 11A in a region
defined by the outer edge 31.
[0158] The outer edge 31 is a C-shaped part whose opening faces a
second end of the elongated member 2B. The shape of the outer edge
31 is not particularly limited as long as the outer edge 31 is
capable of defining the outer profile of the tab 3 and may be
designed in any manner (e.g. semi-circle) in addition to the
C-shape. Though the cutting line 30 is formed in the tearing guide
piece 21 in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cutting line 30 in the tearing guide
piece 21 can be omitted by shifting the position of the C-shape
defined by the cutting line 30 in the longitudinal direction of the
tearing guide piece 21.
[0159] A cutting area 32 for cutting the belt-shaped base 601 is
provided adjacent to both ends of the cutting line 30 of the tab 3
at a position nearer to the second end of the elongated member 2A,
the cutting area 32 intersecting the tearing guide piece in a width
direction.
[0160] The cutting area 32 is disposed nearer to the second end of
the belt-shaped base 22 with respect to the cutting line 30. Though
the cutting area 32 is separated from the cutting line 30 in FIG.
4, the cutting area 32 may be continuous with the cutting line
30.
[0161] Protector 4
[0162] The protector 4, which covers the tab 3, is provided on a
surface of the first face portion 11A provided with the belt-shaped
base 601.
[0163] The protector 4 is made of a rectangular synthetic resin
film. The material and shape of the protector 4 are not
particularly limited in the first exemplary embodiment as long as
the protector 4 is capable of covering the tab 3 to keep the
housing space 10S of the bag 1A from being in communication with an
exterior space of the bag 1A through the cutting line 30 defining
the outer edge 31 of the tab 3. For instance, the shape of the
protector 4 may be circular, ellipsoidal, triangular or the like.
The protector 4 is bonded to the first face portion 11A and the
belt-shaped base 601 at an outer periphery thereof. In other words,
the protector 4 is not wholly bonded to the first face portion 11A
and the belt-shaped base 601.
[0164] Cut Portion 33
[0165] A cut portion 33 is formed in the tearing guide piece 21 and
the first face portion 11A at a position different from the tab 3
as shown in FIG. 1 (e.g. at the second end of the elongated member
2A in the longitudinal direction).
[0166] A specific structure of the cut portion 33 is shown in FIG.
5.
[0167] As shown in FIG. 5, the cut portion 33 is formed in the
first face portion 11A and the tearing guide piece 21 in a manner
to traverse the tearing guide piece 21 in the width direction. It
should be noted that the cut portion 33 is not formed in the
belt-shaped base 601.
[0168] In order to seal the cut portion 33, pressure may be applied
to the belt-shaped base 601 from an inside and outside of the first
face portion 11A. For instance, the belt-shaped base 601 may be
squashed (i.e. pressed toward the first face portion 11A). It
should be noted that the reference numeral 22C denotes an
impression formed by the squashing.
[0169] Unsealing of Bag 1A
[0170] In order to unseal the above-described bag 1A after the
contents are housed in the housing space 10S, the tab 3 is pulled
in a direction away from the second face portion 11B, causing
resistance in ripping the belt-shaped base 601. However, the
resistance is reduced after the belt-shaped base 601 is torn apart
at the cutting area 32. When the tab 3 is kept being pulled, the
tearing guide piece 21, which is separated from the belt-shaped
base 601, rips the first face portion 11A, unsealing the bag 1A
along the longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece 21.
When the unsealed part of the bag 1A reaches the cut portion 33, at
which the first face portion 11A and the tearing guide piece 21 are
cut, the first face portion 11A is not ripped beyond the cut
portion 33.
[0171] Film Assembly 5A
[0172] Next, a film assembly 5A will be described below with
reference to FIG. 6.
[0173] FIG. 6 shows an overall arrangement of the film assembly 5A
wound into a roll.
[0174] As shown in FIG. 6, the film assembly 5A is provided by a
series of the above-described bags 1A before the bonding portion
12, the top portion 13, and the bottom portion 14 are formed.
[0175] The film assembly 5A has a plurality of the elongated
members 2B arranged mutually in parallel on a surface of the film
11C along a direction orthogonal to a feeding direction of the film
11C.
[0176] Manufacturing Machine and Manufacturing Method of Bag
[0177] Next, a manufacturing machine and a manufacturing method of
the bag according to the first exemplary embodiment will be
described below with reference to FIGS. 7 to 12.
[0178] Manufacturing Machine 100 and Manufacturing Method of Bag
Using Film Assembly 5A
[0179] Initially, a machine and a method for manufacturing the bag
using the film assembly 5A will be described below with reference
to FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0180] FIG. 7 shows an overall arrangement of the bag manufacturing
machine 100.
[0181] As shown in FIG. 7, the bag manufacturing machine 100 is
configured to continuously manufacture a plurality of the bags 1A
housing the contents therein using the film assembly 5A.
[0182] The bag manufacturing machine 100 includes: a feeder 101 for
feeding the film assembly 5A; a cylindrical former 102 for folding
and overlapping peripheral ends of the film 11C of the film
assembly 5A; a back-sealing unit 103 for bonding the overlapped
peripheral ends of the film 11C to form the bonding portion 12; a
bonding unit 104 for bonding the folded part and an unfolded part
of the film 11C of the film assembly 5A provided with the bonding
portion 12 along a transverse direction orthogonal to the bonding
portion 12; a cutting unit 105 provided below the bonding unit 104;
a feed belt 106 for feeding the film assembly 5A, whose peripheral
ends are overlapped, toward the bonding unit 104; and a
contents-packing unit 107 for packing the contents in the bag.
[0183] The cylindrical former 102 extends in a top-bottom
direction. The bonding unit 104 and the cutting unit 105 are
disposed below the cylindrical former 102. It should be noted that
the bonding unit 104 and the cutting unit 105 are illustrated at
close positions in FIG. 7 for illustrative purpose.
[0184] Specific structures of the bonding unit 104 and the cutting
unit 105 are shown in FIG. 8.
[0185] As shown in FIG. 8, the bonding unit 104 includes a bottom
former 104A and a top former 1048 for forming the bottom portion 14
and the top portion 13 of the bag 1A, respectively. The bottom
former 104A and the top former 104B are integrated with a space
108S, in which the cutting unit 105 is disposed, being defined
therebetween.
[0186] The top former 1048 and the top former 1048 each include a
seal bar 108A and a seal bar 108B. The seal bar 108B is an
integrated component common to the bottom former 104A and the top
former 1048. The seal bar 108A and the seal bar 108B come close to
each other to press the film 11C when the bottom portion 14 and the
top portion 13 of the bag are formed, and move away from each other
when the film 11C is descended.
[0187] The cutting unit 105, which is a device for cutting the film
assembly 5A at a part between the top portion 13 of the bag at a
forward side in the feeding direction of the film assembly 5A and
the bottom portion 14 of the next bag, includes a cutter 105A and a
cutter receiver 1058. The cutter receiver 1058 is made of rubber or
the like.
[0188] A method for manufacturing the bag using the bag
manufacturing machine 100 shown in FIG. 7 will be described
below.
[0189] Initially, the film assembly 5A is fed to the cylindrical
former 102 with the feeder 101. When the film assembly 5A is fed to
the cylindrical former 102, the peripheral ends of the film 11C are
folded inward (i.e. toward an inner surface on which the elongated
member 2A is disposed) to be partially overlapped. The overlapped
portion of the film 11C is bonded using the back-sealing unit 103
to form the linear bonding portion 12 and turn the film 11C into a
tube.
[0190] The bottom former 104A bonds the unfolded part and folded
part of the film 11C along the transverse direction orthogonal to
the bonding portion 12 to form the linear bottom portion 14 of the
bag.
[0191] Subsequently, the contents O is packed in the film 11C,
which has been turned into a tubular film, using the
contents-packing unit 107.
[0192] After the contents O is packed, the tubular film 11C is fed
downward to a predetermined point, at which the top portion 13 is
formed to the film 11C with the top former 1048.
[0193] Since the bottom former 104A and the top former 104B are
integrated, the top portion 13 of the bag 1A at the forward side in
the feeding direction of the film 11C is formed simultaneously with
the bottom portion 14 of the next bag 1A.
[0194] Subsequently, the film 11C above the top portion 13 is cut
using the cutting unit 105.
[0195] The above steps are repeated to continuously manufacture the
bag 1A with the contents O being packed.
[0196] Manufacturing Machine 200 and Manufacturing Method of Bag
without Using Film Assembly
[0197] Next, a machine and a method for manufacturing the bag
without using the film assembly will be described below with
reference to FIGS. 9 to 11.
[0198] FIG. 9 shows an overall arrangement of the machine for
producing the bag without using the film assembly.
[0199] As shown in FIG. 9, a manufacturing machine 200 includes: an
elongated-member attachment unit 201 for attaching the elongated
member 2A on the film 11C;
[0200] a tab former 202 for providing the tab 3 on the film 11C; a
protector installation unit 203 for covering the tab 3 with the
protector 4; a cut-portion former 204 for forming the cut portion
33 in the elongated member 2A; and the cylindrical former 102, the
back-sealing unit 103, the bonding unit 104, the cutting unit 105,
the feed belt 106 and the contents-packing unit 107 shown in FIG.
7.
[0201] The elongated-member attachment unit 201 includes an
elongated-member feeding mechanism 205 for feeding the elongated
member 2A on the film 11C, and an elongated-member bonding
mechanism 206 for bonding the elongated member 2A, which has been
fed on the film 11C, onto the film 11C.
[0202] The elongated-member feeding mechanism 205 is configured to
feed the elongated member 2A, which is formed in advance through
extrusion molding or the like, along the longitudinal direction so
that the tearing guide piece 21 faces the film 11C.
[0203] The elongated-member bonding mechanism 206, which is
configured to bond the tearing guide piece 21, the belt-shaped body
602, and a part of the belt-shaped base 601 onto the film 11C (see
FIG. 3), includes a pair of seal bars 206A, 206B oppositely
disposed across the film 11C and the elongated member 2A. These
seal bars 206A, 206B come close to each other in bonding the
elongated member 2A onto the film 11C and move away from each other
after the bonding is completed.
[0204] The seal bars 206A, 206B each includes a sealing unit such
as a heat-sealer, and an ultrasonic sealer. It should be noted that
an adhesive is usable in bonding the tearing guide piece 21, the
belt-shaped body 602, and a part of the belt-shaped base 601 onto
the film 11C. In this case, the adhesive applied in advance at a
predetermined part may be pressed with a pair of bars.
[0205] Specific structure of the tab former 202 is shown in FIGS.
10A and 10B.
[0206] As shown in FIG. 10A, the tab former 202 is a cutting unit,
which includes a blade 202C including a penetration blade 202A and
a cutting blade 202B whose cutting depth is adjustable relative to
the penetration blade 202A, and a receiver base 202D for receiving
the blade 202C.
[0207] The penetration blade 202A is a blade configured to
penetrate through the tearing guide piece 21, the belt-shaped base
601 and the film 11C to form the cutting line 30. The cutting blade
202B is a blade whose cutting depth with respect to the penetration
blade 202A is adjusted so that the cutting blade 202B only cuts the
belt-shaped base 601 without penetrating through the tearing guide
piece 21 at a portion for the tearing guide piece 21 and the
belt-shaped base 601 to be bonded. A cut amount of the penetration
blade 202A is greater than a total of a thickness of the laminated
tearing guide piece 21 and belt-shaped base 601 and a thickness of
the film 11C. The cutting depth of the cutting blade 202B is the
same as the thickness of the belt-shaped base 601.
[0208] As shown in FIG. 10B, the penetration blade 202A has the
same C-shaped configuration (in a plan view) as the cutting line 30
of the tab 3, and the cutting blade 202B has the same linear shape
as the cutting area 32.
[0209] Structures of the protector installation unit 203 and the
cut-portion former 204 are shown in FIG. 11.
[0210] As shown in FIG. 11, the protector installation unit 203
includes a film placing unit 203A for placing the protector 4 to
cover the tab 3, and a bonding mechanism 203B for bonding the
periphery of the protector 4 onto the film 11C and the elongated
member 2A.
[0211] The film placing unit 203A, which is a device with a sucking
unit for holding the protector 4, is movable between a work
position (directly above the tab 3) and a retracted position (off
the tab 3).
[0212] The bonding mechanism 203B includes a seal portion 203C and
a seal receiver 203D disposed across the elongated member 2A and
the film 11C. The seal portion 203C and the seal receiver 203D are
movable between a work position for bonding the protector 4 onto
the elongated member 2A and the film 11C and a retracted position
located off from the protector 4. The seal portion 203C is provided
with a concave portion 203E corresponding to a corner of the
elongated member 2A at the second end in order to sufficiently bond
the corner and the film 11C with the protector 4. The seal portion
203C includes a sealing unit such as a heat-sealer, and an
ultrasonic sealer.
[0213] The cut-portion former 204, which is movable between a work
position at the second end of the elongated member 2A and a
retracted position located off from the second end, includes a
cutter body 204A for forming the cut portion 33 in the film 11C and
the tearing guide piece 21, and a sealer 204B for squashing the
belt-shaped base 601 over the cut portion 33 formed by the cutter
body 204A to seal the cut portion 33.
[0214] The cutter body 204A includes a cutter 204C and a cutter
receiver 204D.
[0215] The sealer 204B includes a pressing unit 204E with a
projecting portion at an end and a receiver base 204F for receiving
the pressing unit 204E. An impression 22C of squashing remains on
the belt-shaped base 22 after being pressed by the pressing unit
204E.
[0216] In order to manufacture the bag 1A with the bag
manufacturing machine 200 shown in FIG. 9, the elongated member 2B
is delivered to a central portion of the film 11C by the
elongated-member attachment unit 201 to place the elongated member
2A on a surface of the film 11C. Further, a first peripheral end of
a second film 11E is bonded to the film 11C with the
second-film-bonding unit 207.
[0217] Subsequently, the tab 3 is formed in the film 11C and the
elongated member 2A by the tab former 202. In the tab former 202,
the blade 202C and the receiver base 202D are moved toward the
elongated member 2A and the film 11C, respectively. Then, the
penetration blade 202A penetrates through the elongated member 2A
and the film 11C to form the cutting line 30. Simultaneously, the
cutting blade 202B linearly cuts the tearing guide piece 21 and the
film 11C to form the cutting area 32.
[0218] Subsequently, after the tab 3 is covered with the protector
4 using the film placing unit 203A, the bonding mechanism 203B
bonds a periphery of the protector 4 onto the film 11C and the
elongated member 2A.
[0219] Further, the cut-portion former 204 forms the cut portion 33
in the belt-shaped base 601 of the elongated member 2A and the film
11C.
[0220] Subsequent steps are the same as those in the manufacturing
method using the film assembly 5A.
[0221] Specifically, the film 11C provided with the elongated
member 2A is fed to the cylindrical former 102. At the cylindrical
former 102, the peripheral ends of the film 11C are folded inward
(i.e. toward an inner side provided with the elongated member 2A)
to be partially overlapped, the overlapped portion of the film 11C
being bonded using the back-sealing unit 103 to form the bonding
portion 12, turning the film 11C into a tube.
[0222] Then, after the bottom portion 14 of the bag 1A is formed by
the bottom former 104A, the contents O is packed in the film 11C,
which has been turned into a tubular film, using the
contents-packing unit 107.
[0223] After the contents O is packed in the tubular film 11C, the
film 11C is bonded at a position above the packed contents O to
form the top portion 13. Further, the film 11C is cut at a part
between the bottom portion 14 and the top portion 13 to produce an
independent bag 1A.
[0224] Manufacturing Machine 300 and Manufacturing Method of
Unpacked Bag Using Film Assembly 5A
[0225] A machine and a method for manufacturing an unpacked bag 1A
using the film assembly 5A will be described below with reference
to FIG. 12.
[0226] A basic structure of a manufacturing machine 300 for the
unpacked bag is the same as that of the manufacturing machine 100
shown in FIG. 7 except that the contents-packing unit 107 is not
required and the bonding unit 104 and the cutting unit 105 have
structures different from those of the example shown in FIG. 8.
[0227] FIG. 12 shows a cross section of a relevant part of the bag
manufacturing machine 300.
[0228] As shown in FIG. 12, the bag manufacturing machine 300
includes a bonding unit 304 and the cutting unit 105.
[0229] The bonding unit 304 includes no top former 104B but only
has the bottom former 104A for forming the bottom portion 14 of the
bag 1A.
[0230] The basic structure of the manufacturing machine 300 for the
unpacked bag is the same as that of the manufacturing machine 100
shown in FIG. 10 except that the contents-packing unit 107 is not
required and the bonding unit 104 and the cutting unit 105 have
structures different from those of the example shown in FIG.
11.
[0231] FIG. 12 shows a cross section of a relevant part of the bag
manufacturing machine.
[0232] As shown in FIG. 12, the bag manufacturing machine includes
a bonding unit 304. The bonding unit 304 shown in FIG. 12 includes
no top former 1048 but only has the bottom former 104A for forming
the bottom portion 14 of the bag 1A.
[0233] The cutting unit 105 is adjacently provided below the bottom
former 104A.
[0234] In order to manufacture the bag 1A using the film assembly
5A, in the same manner as in example shown in FIG. 7, the
peripheral ends of the film 11C are folded inward (i.e. toward an
inner side provided with the elongated member 2A) and the
overlapped portion is bonded to form the bonding portion 12,
turning the film 11C into a tube. The bottom former 104A bonds the
unfolded part and folded part of the film 11C to form the bottom
portion 14 of the bag 1A. Subsequently, the film 11C is cut in
parallel to the bottom portion 14. Then, the film 11C is linearly
cut by the cutting unit 105 in parallel to the bottom portion 14.
The contents are housed in the bag 1A thus manufactured in a
separate process with no top portion 13, and, subsequently, the top
portion is formed on the bag 1A using a sealer (not shown).
[0235] The first exemplary embodiment offers the following
advantages.
[0236] The elongated member 2A has the elongated tearing guide
piece 21, the zipper tape 6, and the tab 3. The tab 3 includes the
outer edge 31 defined by the cutting line 30 penetrating through
the belt-shaped base 601 of the zipper tape 6 and the first face
portion 11A of the bag body 10B. The cutting area 32 for cutting
the belt-shaped base 601 is provided at a part of the tab 3
adjacent to both ends of the cutting line 30. The first face
portion 11A is provided with the protector 4 covering the tab 3.
Accordingly, before the bag 1A having the zipper tape 6 is
unsealed, the housing space 10S is kept from being in communication
with the exterior space through the cutting line 30, maintaining
excellent sealability. Further, since the belt-shaped base 601 and
the belt-shaped body 602 of the zipper tape 6 are bonded to the
first face portion 11A, the contents O can be packed in the bag 1B
without releasing the engagement between the first engagement
portion 611 and the second engagement portion 612.
[0237] The cut portion 33 is formed through the tearing guide piece
21 and the first face portion 11A at a position different from the
location of the tab 3, and the cut portion 33 traverse the first
face portion 11A and the tearing guide piece 21 in the width
direction of the tearing guide piece 21. Accordingly, the cut
portion 33 defines a terminal of the portion to be ripped by the
tearing guide piece 21, thus keeping the first face portion 11A
from being ripped by the tearing guide piece 21 more than
necessary. The cut portion 33 only cuts the first face portion 11A
and the tearing guide piece 21 and does not cut the belt-shaped
base 22. Accordingly, the housing space 10S of the bag body 10A is
kept from being in communication with the exterior space through
the cut portion 33 before the bag body 10A is unsealed.
[0238] The film assembly 5A, which includes a plurality of the
mutually spaced apart elongated members 2A on one surface of the
film 11C, the tab 3 provided through the elongated member 2A and
the film 11C, and the protector 4, can be wound into a roll,
allowing easy transportation of the film assembly 5A. Further,
since the length of the film 11C along the longitudinal direction
of the elongated member 2A is more than twice as large as the
length of the elongated member 2A in the longitudinal direction,
the film 11C can be turned into a tube by folding the peripheral
ends of the film 11C inward from both ends of the elongated member
2A and bonding the overlapped portion to form the linear bonding
portion 12.
[0239] In an example of the bag manufacturing method, the unpacked
bag 1A can be continuously manufactured using the film assembly 5A
by: feeding the film assembly 5A; folding the peripheral ends of
the film 11C inward (i.e. toward inner side provided with the
elongated member 2A); bonding the overlapped portion to form the
bonding portion 12 and turn the film 11C into a tube; bonding the
folded and unfolded parts of the film 11C along the transverse
direction orthogonal to the bonding portion 12 to form the bottom
portion 14 of the bag; and cutting the film 11C at a position
opposite the bottom portion 14 across the elongated member 2A along
the transverse direction of the film 11C in parallel to the bottom
portion 14.
[0240] According to an example of the bag manufacturing method, the
bag 1A packed with the contents can be continuously formed by:
packing the contents O in an interior of the film 11C, which has
been turned into a tube with the bottom portion 14 being formed;
and bonding the folded and unfolded parts of the film 11C at a
position remote from the bottom portion 14 to form the top portion
13 of the bag. In addition, since the elongated member 2A, which is
provided on one surface of the film 11C, is spaced by a gap from
the folded part of the film 11C, the contents can be delivered into
the interior of the film 11C through the gap, allowing smooth
packing process.
Second Exemplary Embodiment
[0241] Next, a second exemplary embodiment of the invention will be
described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 18.
[0242] Overall Arrangement of Bag 1B
[0243] FIG. 13 shows a bag 1B according to the second exemplary
embodiment. The bag 1B according to the second exemplary embodiment
is the same as the bag 1A according to the first exemplary
embodiment except that a top portion 130 and a bottom portion 140
are structured differently from the top portion 13 and the bottom
portion 14 of the bag 1A according to the first exemplary
embodiment.
[0244] As shown in FIG. 13, the bag 1B includes the top portion 130
and the bottom portion 140.
[0245] Two grips 11F are provided in the top portion 130.
[0246] The configuration of the grip 11F is not particularly
limited as long as the grip 11F can be held by hand. For instance,
the grip may be suitably provided by: one or more hole-shaped grips
provided to an upper end; a string inserted through the upper end
of the bag body 10B; a grip member made of resin, metal or the like
bonded to the upper end of the bag; or the like.
[0247] The bottom portion 140 is provided with a bottom face
portion 11D. The bottom face portion 11D helps the bag 1B to stand
upright while the contents O is housed in the housing space
10S.
[0248] The bottom face portion 11D is formed by bonding mutually
opposite peripheral ends of the single second film 11E to an inner
surface of each of the pair of face portions 11A, 11B. While the
bag 1A is folded, the second film 11E is two-folded (i.e. folded in
two). In contrast, while the bag 1A stands by oneself, a part of
the bottom face portion 11D except for the periphery bonded to the
pair of face portions 11A, 11B intersects the pair of face portions
11A, 11B.
[0249] The bottom portion 140 is a part at which the pair of face
portions 11A, 11B and the second film 11E are bonded. While the bag
1B is folded, the bottom portion 140 shows an arc-shaped profile,
where a dimension m of the bottom portion 140 along the
longitudinal direction of the bonding portion 12 is small at a
central portion at which the bonding portion 12 is formed, and
increase from the central portion toward side edges of the bag body
10B. This is so designed that the two-folded second film 11E is
unfolded to form the flat bottom face portion 11D when, for
instance, the contents (not shown in FIG. 14) is packed in the
housing space 10S of the bag 1B or the like to move sides of the
bottom portion 140 adjacent to the pair of face portions 11A, 11B
away from each other.
Film Assembly 5B
[0250] Next, a film assembly 5B will be described below with
reference to FIG. 14. As shown in FIG. 14, the film assembly 5B has
a plurality of the elongated members 2A arranged mutually in
parallel on one surface of the film 11C along a direction
orthogonal to the feeding direction of the film 11C. The first
peripheral end of the two-folded second film 11E is bonded to the
film 11C at a part between the elongated members 2A.
[0251] The second film 11E is disposed at the central portion of
the film 11C while being two-folded. The second film 11E is
two-folded so that mutually facing peripheral ends are aligned, one
of the peripheral ends being bonded to the film 11C.
[0252] The central portion of the film 11C, on which the elongated
member 2A and the second film 11E are provided, corresponds to the
first face portion 11A. Both side portions of the film 11C across
the elongated member 2A and the second film 11E correspond to the
second face portion 11B.
[0253] Manufacturing Machine and Manufacturing Method of Bag
[0254] Next, a manufacturing machine and a manufacturing method of
the bag according to the second exemplary embodiment will be
described below with reference to FIGS. 15 to 18.
[0255] Manufacturing Machine 400 and Manufacturing Method of Bag
Using Film Assembly 5B
[0256] Initially, a machine and a method for manufacturing the bag
using the film assembly 5B will be described below with reference
to FIGS. 15 and 16.
[0257] FIG. 15 shows an overall arrangement of the bag
manufacturing machine 400.
[0258] The bag manufacturing machine 400 includes a bonding unit
404 and a cutting unit 405 whose structures are different from
those in the first exemplary embodiment, in addition to the feeder
101, the cylindrical former 102, the back-sealing unit 103, the
feed belt 106 and the contents-packing unit 107 in the first
exemplary embodiment. It should be noted that the bonding unit 404
and the cutting unit 405 are closely illustrated in FIG. 15 for
illustrative purpose.
[0259] Specific structures of the bonding unit 404 and the cutting
unit 405 are shown in FIG. 16.
[0260] As shown in FIG. 16, the bonding unit 404 includes a bottom
former 404A and a top former 404B for forming the bottom portion
140 and the top portion 130 of the bag 1B, respectively. The bottom
former 404A and the top former 404B are vertically arranged.
[0261] The top former 404B is configured to form the top portion
130 on the bag 1B at the front side of the film assembly 5B in the
feeding direction. The bottom former 404A is configured to form the
bottom portion 140 having the bottom face portion 11D on the bag 1B
located next to the bag 1B at the front end.
[0262] The bottom former 404A includes a seal bar 111 for bonding a
second peripheral end of the second film 11E onto the film 11C. A
seal receiver 112 is disposed at a side at which the first
peripheral end of the second film 11E is bonded to the film 11C in
advance.
[0263] The seal bar 111 includes a film-abutment portion 111A for
bonding the second peripheral end of the second film 11E onto the
film 11C, and a spacer 111B for keeping a central portion 11E1 of
the second film 11E from being bonded to the film 11C.
[0264] The seal bar 111 includes a sealing unit such as a
heat-sealer and an ultrasonic sealer for bonding the film 11C with
the peripheral end of the second film 11E. The specific structure
of the spacer 111B is not particularly limited as long as the
spacer 111B does not transfer the heat or ultrasonic vibrations of
the seal bar 111 to the film 11C and the second film 11E. When, for
instance, the seal bar 111 includes a heat-sealing bar, the spacer
111B may be made of a material that does not easily transfer
heat.
[0265] In the second exemplary embodiment, a thickness of a
film-overlapped portion corresponding to the bottom portion 140 is
different from a thickness of a film-overlapped portion
corresponding to the top portion 130. Specifically, the bottom
portion 140, at which the bottom face portion 11D is formed by
bonding the peripheral ends of the second film 11E to the film 11C,
total four layers of the films are overlapped (i.e. two layers of
the overlapped tubular film 11C plus two layers of the overlapped
two-folded second film 11E).
[0266] Mutually facing portions of the tubular film 11C are bonded
when the top portion 130 is formed by the top former 104B,
resulting in two layers of the overlapped films. Thus, separate
units are used for the top former 404B and the bottom former
404A.
[0267] The cutting unit 405 includes a cutting mechanism 4050 for
cutting the film 11C between a part of the film 11C to be the bag
1B, whose top portion 130 has been formed by the top former 404B,
and a part corresponding to a bag (not shown in FIG. 16) located at
the front with respect to the bag 1B, and a punching mechanism 4051
for punching the top portion 130 of the bag at the front to form
the grip 11F.
[0268] The cutting mechanism 4050 includes a cutter 105A, and a
cutter receiver 105B.
[0269] The punching mechanism 4051 includes a punching blade 107A
for punching the top portion 130 along the outer profile of the
grip 11F, and a punching-blade receiver 107B. The cutter receiver
105B and the punching-blade receiver 107B are provided by a single
rubber block 4052.
[0270] The cutter 105A and the punching blade 107A are housed in a
common case 4053. The cutter 105A and the punching blade 107A are
configured to advance toward the rubber block 4052 to cut or punch
the film 11C. The cutter 105A and the punching blade 107A may be
simultaneously advanced or the punching blade 107A may be advanced
first.
[0271] A method for manufacturing the bag using the bag
manufacturing machine 400 will be described below.
[0272] Initially, as in the first exemplary embodiment, the film
assembly 5B is fed to the cylindrical former 102 by the feeder 101,
the peripheral ends of the film 11C of the film assembly 5B being
folded by the cylindrical former 102 to be partially overlapped.
The overlapped portion of the film 11C is bonded using the
back-sealing unit 103 to turn the film 11C into a tube.
[0273] Then, non-bonded peripheral end of the second film 11E is
bonded to the film 11C with the bottom former 404A to form the
bottom face portion 11D of the bag 1B.
[0274] Subsequently, as in the first exemplary embodiment, after
the contents O is packed in the tubular film 11C by the
contents-packing unit 107, the top portion 130 is formed to the
film 11C with the top former 404B.
[0275] Subsequently, after the contents O is packed in the tubular
film 11C by the contents-packing unit 107, the top portion 130 is
formed to the film 11C with the top former 104B.
[0276] The top portion 130 of the bag at the front in the feeding
direction of the film 11C and the bottom portion 140 of the next
bag may be formed simultaneously or with a time lag.
[0277] Then, the grip 11F is formed to the top portion 130 with the
punching mechanism 4051 and the film 11C is cut by the cutting
mechanism 4050 at a part above the top portion 130.
[0278] The above steps are repeated to continuously manufacture the
bag 1A the contents O is packed.
[0279] Manufacturing Machine 500 and Manufacturing Method of Bag
without Using Film Assembly
[0280] Next, a machine and a method for manufacturing the bag
without using the film assembly will be described below with
reference to FIG. 17.
[0281] FIG. 17 shows an overall arrangement of the machine for
producing the bag without using the film assembly.
[0282] As shown in FIG. 17, the manufacturing machine 500 includes:
the elongated-member attachment unit 201, the tab former 202, the
protector installation unit 203, the cut-portion former 204, the
cylindrical former 102, the back-sealing unit 103, the feed belt
106, and the contents-packing unit 107 described in the first
exemplary embodiment; the bonding unit 404 and the cutting unit 405
shown in FIG. 15; and the second-film-bonding unit 207 for bonding
a peripheral end of the second film 11E to the film 11C.
[0283] The second-film-bonding unit 207 includes a film holder 208
for placing the second film 11E, which has been preliminarily
two-folded, at the central portion of the film 11C at a position
remote from the elongated member 2A, and a sealer 209 for bonding
the peripheral end of the second film 11E onto the film 11C.
[0284] The sealer 209 includes a seal bar (not shown) disposed
below the film 11C, and a seal receiver 209A disposed opposite the
seal bar across the film 11C. The seal bar may include a sealing
unit such as a heat-sealer and an ultrasonic sealer. Alternatively,
the seal bar may be configured to bond the peripheral end of the
second film 11E onto the film 11C with an adhesive.
[0285] In order to manufacture the bag 1B with the bag
manufacturing machine 500, the elongated member 2B is delivered to
the central portion of the film 11C by the elongated-member
attachment unit 201 to place the elongated member 2A on a surface
of the film 11C. Further, the peripheral end of the second film 11E
is bonded to the central portion of the film 11C with the
second-film-bonding unit 207.
[0286] Subsequently, the tab 3 is formed in the film 11C and the
elongated member 2A by the tab former 202.
[0287] Then, after the tab 3 is covered with the protector 4 using
the film placing unit 203A, the bonding mechanism 203B bonds a
periphery of the protector 4 onto the film 11C and the elongated
member 2A.
[0288] Further, the cut-portion former 204 forms the cut portion 33
in the belt-shaped base 601 of the elongated member 2A and the film
11C.
[0289] Subsequent steps are the same as those in the manufacturing
method using the film assembly 5B.
[0290] Specifically, the film 11C provided with the elongated
member 2A is fed to the cylindrical former 102. At the cylindrical
former 102, the peripheral ends of the film 11C are folded inward
(i.e. toward an inner side provided with the elongated member 2A)
to be partially overlapped, the overlapped portion of the film 11C
being bonded using the back-sealing unit 103 to form the bonding
portion 12, turning the film 11C into a tube.
[0291] Then, after the bottom portion 140 of the bag 1A is formed
by the bottom former 144A, the contents O is packed in the film
11C, which has been turned into a tube, using the contents-packing
unit 107.
[0292] The film 11C is bonded at a position above the packed
contents O to form the top portion 130, in which the grip 11F is
formed. Further, the film 11C is cut at a part between the bottom
portion 140 and the top portion 130 to form an independent bag
1B.
[0293] Manufacturing Machine 600 and Manufacturing Method of
Unpacked Bag Using Film Assembly 5B
[0294] A machine and a method for manufacturing an unpacked bag 1B
using the film assembly 5B will be described below with reference
to FIG. 18.
[0295] The basic structure of a manufacturing machine 600 for the
unpacked bag is the same as that of the manufacturing machine 400
shown in FIG. 15 except that the contents-packing unit 107 is not
required and the bonding unit 404 and the cutting unit 405 have
structures different from those of the example shown in FIG.
16.
[0296] FIG. 18 shows a cross section of a relevant part of the bag
manufacturing machine 600.
[0297] As shown in FIG. 18, the bag manufacturing machine 600
includes a bonding unit 604 and the cutting unit 605.
[0298] The bonding unit 604 includes no top former 404B but only
has the bottom former 104A for forming the bottom portion 140 of
the bag 1B.
[0299] The cutting unit 605 includes the cutting mechanism 4050 and
has no punching mechanism 4051.
[0300] In order to manufacture the bag 1B before the contents are
packed using the film assembly 5B, the peripheral ends of the film
11C are folded inward (i.e. toward an inner side provided with the
elongated member 2B) using the cylindrical former 102 and the
overlapped portion is bonded to form the bonding portion 12,
turning the film 11C into a tube.
[0301] Then, the second peripheral end of the two-folded second
film 11E is bonded to an inner surface of the film 11C by the
bottom former 404A to form the bottom portion 140. Subsequently,
the film 11C is cut by the cutting unit 405 in parallel to the
bottom portion 140.
[0302] The second exemplary embodiment offers the following
advantages in addition to the advantages of the first exemplary
embodiment.
[0303] The bag body 10B includes mutually facing pair of face
portions 11A, 11B and the bottom face portion 11D bonded to the
pair of face portions 11A, 11B at peripheral ends thereof. It is
expectable that the bag 1B can stand upright while the contents O
is housed in the housing space 10S, due to the presence of the
bottom face portion 11D.
[0304] Since the grip 11F is provided to the bag body 10B, the bag
1B can be easily held.
Third Exemplary Embodiment
[0305] Next, a bag 1C according to a third exemplary embodiment of
the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to
21.
[0306] The third exemplary embodiment is the same as the first
exemplary embodiment except for the structure of the elongated
member.
[0307] As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the bag 1C includes the bag
body 10A, an elongated member 2C provided on the bag body 10A, the
tab 3, and the protector 4.
[0308] Elongated Member 2C
[0309] The elongated member 2C includes the tearing guide piece 21
and the zipper tape 7.
[0310] The zipper tape 7 includes the first member 61 and a second
member 72 including a belt-shaped body 702 and the second
engagement portion 612 continuous with the belt-shaped body 702.
The zipper tape 7 is made of the same material as the zipper tape 6
according to the first exemplary embodiment.
[0311] The belt-shaped body 702 includes a belt-shaped body portion
702A bonded to the first face portion 11A and provided with the
second engagement portion 612, and a thin portion 702B formed at an
end of the body portion 702A near the top portion 13, the thin
portion 702B being thinner than the body portion 702A. The thin
portion 702B has a surface bonded with the tearing guide piece 21,
the surface being orthogonal to an end face of the body portion
702A facing the top portion 13, the end surface of the body portion
702A guiding a ripping movement of the tearing guide piece 21. It
should be noted that the thickness of the body portion 702A may
alternatively be the same as the thickness of the thin portion
702B. In this case, a projecting portion for guiding the ripping
direction of the tearing guide piece 21 may be provided on the body
portion 702A. Further alternatively, the tearing guide piece 21 may
be laminated on a flat body portion 702A without providing the
projecting portion. In other words, the attachment structure of the
tearing guide piece 21 is not limited as long as the tearing guide
piece 21 is provided to the first face portion 11A through the
belt-shaped body 702.
[0312] It should be noted that, in addition to or in place of the
first engagement portion 611 and the second engagement portion 612
as a combination of the male and female portions, a pair of
mutually engaging hook-shaped portions 611B, 612B may be provided
(see imaginary lines in FIG. 19) in the third exemplary
embodiment.
[0313] Tab 3
[0314] The tab 3 has the C-shaped outer edge 31 at a first end of
the elongated member 2C. The outer edge 31, whose opening faces the
second end of the elongated member 2C, is defined by the cutting
line 30 penetrating through the belt-shaped base 601, the tearing
guide piece 21, the belt-shaped body 702, and the first face
portion 11A. The cutting area 32 is provided adjacent to a part of
the belt-shaped base 601 adjacent to both ends of the cutting line
30 near the second end of the elongated member 2C.
[0315] Cut Portion 33
[0316] A second end of the elongated member 2B in the longitudinal
direction is shown in FIG. 21.
[0317] As shown in FIG. 21, the cut portion 33 is formed at the
second end of the elongated member 2C.
[0318] The cut portion 33 penetrates through the first face portion
11A, the belt-shaped body 702, and the tearing guide piece 21 and
extends to traverse the tearing guide piece 21 in the width
direction. It should be noted that the cut portion 33 is not formed
in the belt-shaped base 601.
[0319] The machine and method for manufacturing the bag 1C
according to the third exemplary embodiment are the same as those
in the first exemplary embodiment. The third exemplary embodiment
offers the same advantages as those of the first exemplary
embodiment.
Fourth Exemplary Embodiment
[0320] Next, a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention will be
described with reference to FIG. 22.
[0321] The fourth exemplary embodiment is the same as the first
exemplary embodiment except for the structure of the bag body.
[0322] As shown in FIG. 22, the bag 1D includes a bag body 10D, the
elongated member 2A provided on the bag body 10D, the tab 3, and
the protector 4.
[0323] The bag body 10D, which is generally called as a gusset bag,
includes the pair of facing face portions 11A, 11B, a pair of
lateral face portions 11G that are provided at side edges of the
pair of face portions 11A, 11B and are opposed across the pair of
face portions 11A, 11B, and a bottom face portion 11H. The lateral
face portions 11G and the bottom face portion 11H are each
interfolded along a bend line. The bag body 10D includes the top
portion 130 having the grip 11F.
[0324] In the fourth exemplary embodiment, the pair of face
portions 11A, 11B and the pair of lateral face portions 11G may be
made of a single film while the bottom face portion 11H is made of
another single film. Alternatively, the first face portion 11A, the
second face portion 11B, one of the lateral face portions 11G, and
the other of the lateral face portions 11G may be each made of a
single film, and the bottom face portion 11H may be made of another
single film.
[0325] The machine and method for manufacturing the bag 1D
according to the fourth exemplary embodiment are the same as those
in the first exemplary embodiment. The fourth exemplary embodiment
offers the same advantages as those of the first exemplary
embodiment.
Fifth Exemplary Embodiment
[0326] Next, a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention will be
described with reference to FIGS. 23 to 27.
[0327] The fifth exemplary embodiment is the same as the first
exemplary embodiment except for the structure of the elongated
member.
[0328] FIG. 23 shows an overall arrangement of the bag 1E.
[0329] As shown in FIG. 23, the bag 1E includes the bag body 10A,
an elongated member 2E provided on the bag body 10A, the tab 3, and
the protector 4.
[0330] Elongated Member 2E
[0331] Specific structure of the elongated member 2E is shown in
FIGS. 24 to 27.
[0332] FIGS. 24 and 25 each show an entirety of the elongated
member 2E.
[0333] As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the elongated member 2E
includes the tearing guide piece 21 directly bonded to the first
face portion 11A and a plurality of (two in the figures)
belt-shaped bases 22 juxtaposed in the longitudinal direction of
the tearing guide piece 21.
[0334] The belt-shaped base 22 is made of the same material as the
zipper tape 6. It should be noted that the two belt-shaped bases 22
may be made of a flexible synthetic resin, which facilitates
insertion of a hand into the interior of the bag body 10A through
the gap created between the two belt-shaped bases 22.
[0335] The belt-shaped bases 22 each include a plate portion 22A
disposed opposite the first face portion 11A across the tearing
guide piece 21, and a projecting portion 22B integrated with the
plate portion 22A. The projecting portion 22B is bonded to the
first face portion 11A.
[0336] The belt-shaped bases 22 are adjacently disposed so that the
plate portions 22A are close to each other and the projecting
portions 22B are remote from each other.
[0337] Tab 3
[0338] A first end of the elongated member 2E is shown in FIG.
26.
[0339] As shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, the tab 3 includes the outer
edge 31 defined by the cutting line 30 penetrating through the
first end of the belt-shaped base 22 and the tearing guide piece 21
in the longitudinal direction and the first face portion 11A. In
other words, the tab 3 is defined by the belt-shaped base 22, the
tearing guide piece 21 and the first face portion 11A in the region
defined by the outer edge 31.
[0340] The cutting area 32 for cutting the belt-shaped base 22 is
provided adjacent to both ends of the cutting line 30, the cutting
area 32 intersecting the tearing guide piece 21 in a width
direction.
[0341] The cutting area 32 is disposed closer to the second end of
the belt-shaped base 22 with respect to the cutting line 30.
[0342] Protector 4
[0343] The protector 4 is bonded to the first face portion 11A and
the belt-shaped base 22. The bonding structure of the protector 4
to the first face portion 11A and the belt-shaped base 22 are not
particularly limited as long as the protector 4 is capable of
covering the tab 3 to keep the housing space 10S of the bag 1A from
being in communication with an exterior space of the bag 1A through
the cutting line 30. For instance, as shown in FIG. 25, a periphery
41 of the protector 4 may be bonded to the first face portion 11A
and the belt-shaped base 22 to cover the tab 3. However, the
surface of the protector 4 facing the first face portion 11A and
the belt-shaped base 22 is not entirely bonded to the first face
portion 11A and the belt-shaped base 22. For instance, an outer
peripheral end of the part of the protector 4 covering the tab 3 is
bonded to the first face portion to keep the housing space 10S of
the bag 1A from being in communication with the exterior space of
the bag through the cutting line 30 in the exemplary embodiment
shown in FIG. 25.
[0344] The protector 4 is suitably bonded to the first face portion
11A and the belt-shaped base 22 through a known process using
heat-sealing, ultrasonic sealing, adhesive, or the like.
[0345] Cut Portion 33
[0346] As shown in FIG. 23, the cut portion 33 is formed at a
position different from the tearing guide piece 21 and the tab 3 of
the first face portion 11A (e.g. at the second end of the elongated
member 2E in the longitudinal direction).
[0347] A specific structure of the cut portion 333 is shown in FIG.
27.
[0348] As shown in FIG. 27, the cut portion 33 cuts through the
first face portion 11A and the tearing guide piece 21 and extends
to traverse the tearing guide piece 21 in the width direction. It
should be noted that the cut portion 33 is not formed in the
belt-shaped base 22.
[0349] In order to seal the cut portion 33, pressure may be applied
to the belt-shaped base 22 from an inside and outside of the first
face portion 11A. For instance, the belt-shaped bases 22 may be
pressed to be squashed toward the first face portion 11A. The gap
between the two belt-shaped bases 22 is closed by pressing and
squashing the two belt-shaped base 22 toward the first face portion
11A. Accordingly, the interior of the bag body 10A is not in
communication with the exterior through the cut portion 33. It
should be noted that the gap between the belt-shaped base 22 may be
closed in advance by a film or the like (not shown) as
necessary.
[0350] Unsealing of Bag 1E
[0351] According to the above-described bag 1E, when the tab 3 is
pulled in a direction away from the second face portion 11B after
the contents are housed in the housing space, the tearing guide
piece 21, which is separated from the two belt-shaped bases 22,
rips the first face portion 11A, unsealing the bag 1A along the
longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece 21.
[0352] After the bag is unsealed, a gap is created between the
adjoining belt-shaped bases 22, through which a hand can be
inserted, thus easily taking out the contents O housed in the bag
body 10A.
[0353] The film assembly, manufacturing method and manufacturing
machine of the bag according to the fifth exemplary embodiment are
the same as those in the first exemplary embodiment. The fifth
exemplary embodiment offers the same advantages as those in the
first exemplary embodiment.
[0354] Modifications
[0355] It should be noted that the scope of the invention is not
limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, but
encompasses modifications and improvements as long as the
modifications and improvements are compatible with an object of the
invention.
[0356] For instance, two belt-shaped bases 22 are prepared and the
tearing guide piece 21 is directly bonded to the first face portion
11A to form the elongated member 2E in the fifth exemplary
embodiment. However, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the elongated
member 2F includes a belt-shaped sheet 20 bonded to the first face
portion 11A, the tearing guide piece 21 provided on the belt-shaped
sheet 20, and the belt-shaped base 22 disposed along the
longitudinal direction of the tearing guide piece 21 in some
embodiments of the invention. In other words, the tearing guide
piece 21 is indirectly provided to the first face portion 11A
through the belt-shaped sheet 20.
[0357] The protector 4, which is provided only at a part covering
the tab 3 in the above-described exemplary embodiments, runs the
entire length of the belt-shaped bases 22, 601 along the
longitudinal direction of the belt-shaped bases 22, 601 in some
embodiments of the invention. For instance, as shown in FIG. 30,
the protector 4, which is in a form of an elongated component, is
provided on the belt-shaped base 601 to extend from the first end
to the second end of the elongated member 2A in the longitudinal
direction in some embodiments.
[0358] Though the film assemblies 5A, 5B are each wound into a roll
in the above exemplary embodiments, the film assemblies 5A, 5B are
folded in some embodiments of the invention.
[0359] Further, though the bag bodies 10A, 10B each have the
bonding portion 12 provided by overlapping the mutually opposite
peripheral ends of the single film 11C, the bag bodies 10A, 10B
have the bonding portion 12 provided by folding edges of the single
film 11C at positions remote from the edges by the same dimension,
and bonding the overlapped periphery of the two-folded edges in
some embodiments of the invention.
* * * * *